Tropical storm No. 5, finally
Edouard was named last night, but looks like another fish storm.
The preseason consensus was that the 2014 hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin would be a relatively quiet one, and so far this one has been all but silent.
A swirling mass in the far eastern Atlantic earned the name "Edouard" last night with peak winds of 40 m.p.h., barely qualifying for the naming threshold of 39 m.p.h. winds.
It thus became only the fifth tropical storm of the season in the Basin, which includes the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
On average, the fifth storm forms by Aug. 31.
And according to the National Hurricane Center, Edoaurd is about to have a forgettable career. As storms have all season, it is fighting dry air that has been suppressing hurricane activity.
As for actual hurricanes, three have formed so far -- just about the average -- although you might not have noticed two of them.
The only storm to have a notable impact on the East Coast was Arthur, which routed Outer Banks vacationers during the July 4th weekend and interacted with a front to wring out heavy rains elsewhere.
Edouard is forecast to peak out as a minimal Category 1 hurricane early next week. It might have some effect on Bermuda and shippiing interests, but otherwise it might mean some tough swimming for fish.
For the Gulf and U.S. East Coasts, particulary Florida's, a record run of amazing hurricane good fortune continues, with no new threats on the horizon.