Hurricane season begins at the Mid May in the Eastern Pacific, and lasts through November. This year, it wasted no time getting started, racking up its first named storm.
This particular storm became "Tropical Storm Alma" moments ago. Alma is expected to spread heavy rainfall and gusty winds to Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaraugua, and El Salvador.
The forecast of Alma calls for it to remain at tropical storm streangth until we get into the overnight time period. Then, it will probably be downgraded to a tropical depression. Even as a depression, these storms spread heavy amounts of rain. This will probably be the case for the Yucatan Peninsula as we enter the weekend.
Ray Petelin,
WSEE Storm Team Meteorologist
Comments (2)
Hi Ray,
Love the blog...but I was wondering if you could answer this for me. I do not doubt for one second that your meteorlogical expertise is much greater than my own [I'm a backyard meteorologist!], but I think we're actually two weeks into the Eastern Pacific (where Alma has formed)hurricane season. As far as I know, the Atlantic season runs from June 1 to November 30, but the Eastern Pacific season (where Alma has formed) runs from May 15 to November 30. So, that means that Alma isn't early after all!
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080522_pacifichurricaneoutlook.html
Thanks for all you do!
Posted by Dave | May 29, 2008 12:44 PM
Posted on May 29, 2008 12:44
Good catch. Joey and I often don't have to worry about these early storms getting their act together for Central America (we do the Caribbean/Central America forecasts over the satellite). Usually it is the Atlantic Basin season that gets us moving.
Thanks for writing in, and I will make sure the changes are reflected!
Posted by Ray | May 29, 2008 1:35 PM
Posted on May 29, 2008 13:35