"It Ain't Over 'Till ..."

For you baseball and opera fans out there, you know how the above quote ends. I've used it for today's title because I think it is very appropriate to this hurricane season as well. With the 'peak' of the season having passed recently, it seems that there is a general attitude that we have nothing more to worry about from hurricanes.

With the last couple of storms (Ingrid and Jerry) having had little or no damaging effect, the tendency of folks might be to think we've made it through the season already.

Not so, grasshopper. In fact, some experts think that, for this year, the peak activity is about to begin. In support of that view, I offer exhibit #1: the current satellite image of the Gulf and Atlantic:

This map is as busy with activity as it has been all season. On the far left, you can see Hurricane Lorenzo as it moves into Mexico, near Veracruz. For more information on Lorenzo, please see Martin Merzer's Miami Herald story. There are also some small, unorganized systems, one just off the south Florida coast and another still farther north that is the last of Tropical Storm Jerry. Of more interest is the system in the lower right of the image, Tropical Storm Karen. It is still very early to tell, but hurricane watchers are keeping an eye on Karen, and waiting to see how it develops. Here is a view of the current tracking map showing potential paths Karen may take:

Looks like it is heading northwest, which could take it right into Florida. It may also turn farther north, and head towards the mid-Atlantic coast. With its position still well east of the Antilles, all we can do is wait and see.

And yes, there are still other tropical depressions out there, and more are sure to form in the future. So don't get too complacent: As hurricane specialist Michelle Mainelli said recently "Just because it's officially Autumn doesn't mean that it's the end of the hurricane system."

Words of Wisdom, folks...Words of Wisdom.

Regards,

Stormy