fp Turks and Caicos

As it does each and every year, June 1 marks the beginning of the Atlantic and Caribbean hurricane season.

This is a time when not only do we experience warm summer weather, but an increased chance of tropical cyclones forming in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. These tropical cyclones, or hurricanes, pose a serious risk to all the Caribbean islands, including the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Many forecasters are suggesting conditions are ripe for a busy 2011 season. Thanks to warmer sea-surface water temperatures and a weakening La Niña, the Climate Prediction Center expects that 12–18 named storms, 6–10 hurricanes, and 3–6 major hurricanes will form in the Atlantic during 2011.

While no one can predict for sure when or where a hurricane will hit, we can minimise the potential threat of damage by being not only prepared but informed.

Over the coming months, along with our sponsor Scotiabank, we will be highlighting ways in which you can prepare yourself, your family, your pets, business, house, boat, car and even your swimming pool for a possible hurricane threat.

In 2008 the TCI was rudely awaken to the damage hurricanes can cause in the wake of two back-to-back hurricanes in just one week. After relative calm for several decades, Hurricanes Hannah and Ike caused major damage for many local residents.

Fortunately all lives were spared, and today signs of the damage are nearly completely gone, but the memory stands as a constant reminder we must be vigilant in our preparations to ensure the best outcome should a hurricane blow our way.

The Atlantic and Caribbean hurricane season runs from June 1 until Nov. 30, peaking in activity from mid-August until late October.

Terminology

A tropical cyclone is a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has a closed low-level circulation.

• Hurricanes: tropical cyclones in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Eastern Pacific
• Typhoons: tropical cyclones in the western North Pacific
• Cyclones: tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific Ocean

Atlantic tropical cyclones are classified as follows:

• Tropical Depression: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less.
• Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph (34-63 knots).
• Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher.
• Major Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 111 mph (96 knots) or higher, corresponding to a Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.