Tropical storms: Already a season’s worth
The storm numbers are impressive; so is the U.S. luck
With 2½ months still remaining in the Atlantic Basin hurricane season, 11 named storms have formed this year.
Whether or not the latest, Karl, has any future havoc in its arsenal, its formation is noteworthy in that 11 tropical storms, those with winds of at least 39 m.p.h., is the average for the entire year.
On average, according to the National Hurricane Center, the 11th storm doesn't form until Nov. 23, a week before the season ends in the basin, which includes the Gulf and Caribbean.
With the knighting of Karl, 11 tropical storms now have formed this year in the Atlantic Basin.
The course of Karl's career remains uncertain. At 11 a.m. it still was 1,800 miles east of the Caribbean islands and was traveling west at 13 mph with peak winds around 40 mph.
The hurricane center predicts it will continue moving west-northwest and grow into a Category 1 hurricane, with winds of 80 m.p.h. some time on Wednesday.
Despite the plethora of named storms, overall this has been another gentle season for the U.S. mainland.
One record streak did end when Hermine made landfall as a Category 1 in Florida, the first time a hurricane of any strength had made landfall in the Sunshine State since the seismic 2005 season.
No major hurricane, one with winds of 111 m.p.h. or better, has made U.S. landfall since that season, and that record stands.
The most-devastating storm of the season was the cosmic rainstorm that inundated parts of Louisiana. It was blamed for 13 deaths and left catastrophic damage.
That one didn't have a name, and wasn't even a tropical storm.