|
|
|
WHAT'S NEW
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Stay hurricane-safe when you're on vacation
|
|
|
Find out what you need to know if a hurricane hits during your trip away from home.
|
|
|
By Dee Van Dyk
|
|
|
|
|
Hurricane season doesn't mean you have to avoid travelling to the coast during the summer months. It does mean you should be aware of your surroundings and have a plan for evacuation if it becomes necessary.
"You certainly should be cognizant of the weather, especially if you're going into an area known for hurricanes during the peak part of the season," recommends Dennis Feltgren, meteorologist and public affairs specialist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. "That means paying attention to the television, paying attention to the radio and working with the hotel or your travel agent to determine the plan if you have to get out."
When is hurricane season?
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year. "The peak time of activity is typically from mid-August to about the third week of October," says Feltgren.
"Last year we had a quiet year, but that was because we had the moderating presence of an el nino," he says. "For 2007, we expect a much more active season than we had in 2006. We remain in an overall active hurricane cycle that began in 1995, called the multi-decadal signal, and these tend to last 25 to 30 years."
Understanding hurricane terms
If you're vacationing in a hurricane-prone area, listen to the radio. You'll hear an escalating level of terms describing the weather and potential hurricane situation.
The first term you'll hear is storm advisory. A storm advisory is issued every six hours, basically updating the storm: where it is, where it's going, and the projected track and strength.
If the storm gets close enough to be considered a threat to land, you'll hear a storm watch update on your radio. Depending on the strength of the storm, it will be either a tropical storm watch (winds between 39 to 73 miles per hour) or a hurricane watch (winds 74 miles per hour or greater).
A hurricane watch indicates that hurricane conditions are possible within 24 to 36 hours, and is a signal for residents to make sure their hurricane plans are ready to go.
Page 1 of 2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 more articles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
