Atlantic hurricane season now BELOW normal

This year continues to be a below normal year for tropical weather. The sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic are at average or below average temperatures as compared to previous years (I don't like using the term normal as this is a biased term that we really cannot define well anyway - so-called normal temperatures are really just the latest averages). Wind shear in the western Caribbean and on the Gulf have also reduced cyclone formation. Wind shear is why T.D. Chris never reformed back into a storm or hurricane once it's remains entered the Gulf.

Of course those of us who live on the Gulf Coast know that it's not over till it's over. We can still end the year with a huge number of storms. And the year that Andrew came ashore there was only one storm that year and it hit in September but it was a doozy. An Andrew size storm making landfall in New Orleans or Galveston would certainly have a major affect.