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Tropics still quiet, but things may change

Sea surface temperatures are heating up as we move into the more active part of the hurricane season

As we get deeper into the summer, the tropics are expected to start heating up. 

So far we have had three tropical depressions and two named storms, one of which was Hurricane Barry. Overall, this is a pretty quiet start to the 2019 season. 

Things may change soon. A look at the sea surface temperature anomalies across the Atlantic show above average temperatures stretching from the Gulf of Mexico through the open Atlantic.

Tropical systems love very warm water. It is their fuel source. As the waters warm up, the stage is setting for the more active portion of hurricane season. 

Credit: WMAZ

Fortunately, there are no active systems right now. The National Hurricane Center has been monitoring an area of disturbed weather in the Gulf of Mexico for signs of development, but environmental conditions there are not favorable for anything to develop right now

Further east, more tropical waves are now beginning to move off of the African Coast, but wind shear and dry air are limiting development there. 

Credit: WMAZ

We will continue to watch all parts of the tropics as conditions become more favorable for development.

The climatological peak of Atlantic Hurricane Season comes during the second week of September. 

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