TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- With the recent devastation caused by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, we may have forgotten that Florida has been in a 12 year hurricane drought. Back to back category-4 storms have not made landfall on the continental U.S. in over a century.
It was a combination of things that made this season extremely active. Meteorologist Parks Camp states, "The winds that determine where the storm's go once they develop and those winds this year have been such that once the storm's develop, they have impacted land. So that is not the case every year."
Above normal water temperatures created strong storms and upper level winds allowed for hurricanes to grow tall and stay stable. While many suspect global warming as one of the culprits, experts say linking hurricane behavior to global warming is difficult. The past 10 years have been active, but the steering currents were unable to push storms towards land. That certainly wasn't the case this year.
We all are hopeful Florida won't see another hurricane this season; however, the season runs through November. "There's going to be more tropical storms and hurricanes as we move through the season. Now, whether or not any of those have significant impacts on land, we will just kind of have to wait and see. See what the steering currents and the conditions are when those form." It's important to keep your preparation kits stocked up and ready.
