Know the Lingo:

Here are a few summer weather definitions.

What is a hurricane?

A hurricane is a huge storm! It can be up to 600 miles across and have strong winds spiraling inward and upward at speeds of 75 to 200 mph. Each hurricane usually lasts for over a week, moving 10-20 miles per hour over the open ocean. Hurricanes gather heat and energy through contact with warm ocean waters. Evaporation from the seawater increases their power. Hurricanes rotate in a counter-clockwise direction around an "eye." The center of the storm or "eye" is the calmest part. It has only light winds and fair weather. When they come onto land, the heavy rain, strong winds and large waves can damage buildings, trees and cars.

How do hurricanes form?

Hurricanes only form over really warm ocean water of 80°F or warmer. The atmosphere (the air) must cool off very quickly the higher you go. Also, the wind must be blowing in the same direction and at the same speed to force air upward from the ocean surface. Winds flow outward above the storm allowing the air below to rise. Hurricanes typically form between 5 to 15 degrees latitude north and south of the equator. The Coriolis Force is needed to create the spin in the hurricane and it becomes too weak near the equator, so hurricanes can never form there.

When does the hurricane season start?

The Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, but most hurricanes occur during the fall months. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season is from May 15 to November 30.

What is a Hurricane Watch?

Hurricane conditions with sustained winds of 74 mph or greater are possible in your area within the next 36 hours. This WATCH should trigger your family's disaster plan, and protective measures should be initiated. Especially, those actions that require extra time such as securing a boat and leaving a barrier island.

What is a Hurricane Warning?

Hurricane conditions are expected in your area within 24 hours. Once this WARNING has been issued, your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.

Weather Jokes

How do hurricanes see?

With one eye!

What did the hurricane say to the other hurricane?

I have my eye on you.

Spring Review

This spring has been unseasonably warm. Record and near-record warmth dominated the eastern two-thirds of the nation during spring. Thirty-one states were record warm for the season. Only Oregon and Washington had spring temperatures near normal. The spring season's nationally averaged temperature was 57.1 degrees, 5.2 degrees above the long-term average, and surpassing the previous warmest spring (1910) by 2 degrees.

In terms of rainfall, it has been an unseasonably dry spring across much of the United States. Firefighters in Colorado and New Mexico are battling wind-fueled wildfires that are moving fast through parched forests, forcing scores of evacuations and destroying or damaging numerous structures.

Summer Precip Outlook

The Climate Prediction Center is forecasting above normal precipitation across Florida for the summer. They are also forecasting below normal precipitation across parts of the Northwest.

Summer Temp Outlook

The Climate Prediction Center is forecasting above normal temperatures across most of the United States.

2012 Hurricane Outlook

The 2012 Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1st. Forecasters are predicting a normal hurricane season. Here's the breakdown from Colorado State University, NOAA and the yearly average:

	CSU	NOAA	AVERAGE
Named Storms	13	9-15	11
Hurricanes	5	4-8	6
Major Cat 3 or Higher	2	1-3	2

Summer Deal

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Product Information:
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