Although nearly a dozen named storms have appeared in the eastern Pacific Ocean this season, the Atlantic basin has been much calmer.
This one has only seen three named storms so far, and none in August. Such calm is a historic exception that has not occurred for 25 years.
But it is too early to declare the situation as a record. Currently, NOAA is monitoring an area of low pressure that is likely to materialize into a named storm by the end of the week. This has a 50% chance of forming before the end of the month.
Tropical activity in September
However, the month of September might offer a completely different scenario. Forecasters have been meticulously monitoring tropical activity in the Atlantic Basin, and some areas are showing favorable conditions for the week ahead.
In the waters located between the area around the Cape Verde Islands and that of the Lesser Antilles, there is a 40% chance of seeing the development of tropical storms.
Approaching this area, the waves might strengthen. Even without tropical development, it is likely that the system might affect the Windward Islands. It would then bring gusty showers and a strong current before the end of the week. This includes the islands of Saint John, Antigua, Barbuda and Anguilla.
An unusual situation
Only two other seasons, since records began in 1960, have had a month of August without tropical storms or hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean: 1961 and 1997. These also did not observe a tropical depression during of August.
Remember that we are currently in the most intense moment of the hurricane season, which is usually between mid-August and mid-October.
