Re: Why have there been so many hurricanes this year?

In actuality, there haven't been that many hurricanes this year. If you follow this link: (updated link covering years 1958-2005 at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastall.shtml?text) http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATWSAT.html. You will see in the second paragraph of the document from the national hurricane center that we are only slightly above average this year (1999). The most notable thing about this hurricane season thus far is that four hurricanes in the Atlantic basin have reached major status with winds over 110 mph.

The possible reasons for this include above normal sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea and favorable upper level winds in the atmosphere. Hurricanes form over warm water (temperatures greater than 80 degrees) in areas where there is little change in wind speed with height as you go up in the atmosphere.

Unfortunately, winds in the atmosphere which steer tropical storms and hurricanes have brought 4 of them on to land this season. This makes it seem like there have been more storms than normal in the Atlantic basin this year.