In the last five years alone, the hurricanes that have hit the US have taken everyone by surprise. Nobody was prepared for the scale and intensity of them. They exceeded the all-time average, wrought extensive damage to infrastructure and property, and took many lives. Now that the 2021 hurricane season is approaching, people worry about how much worse things will be. As it is, sometimes, only one storm, or in this case one hurricane, is enough to cause massive devastation.
About The 2021 Hurricane Season
The typical Atlantic hurricane season begins in June and extends up to November. The peak of which arrives in the period between August to September.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this year (2021) is going to be an above-average hurricane season.
1. There will be anywhere between 13 to 20 storms with a wind speed of 40 miles per hour (mph) or more.
2. It is expected that 6 to 10 storms will develop into hurricanes with a wind speed of approximately 50 mph.
3. 3 to 5 of these hurricanes could be category 3. This is something to worry about as a severe hurricane can have wind speeds up to 100 mph or greater.
So it’s time for everybody to gear up for an active hurricane season that has the potential to cause damage and destruction.
2021 Hurricane Season In Comparison To Previous Years
The prediction of hurricanes is based on the statistics of the last 30 years. The last three-decade period saw more storms and hurricanes in comparison to 1980-2010. Therefore, NOAA does not expect things to slow down.
1. 1980 – 2010 Hurricane Period
1. There were a total of 12 named storms.
2. It had 6 hurricanes.
3. 3 of which were severe hurricanes.
2. 1990 – 2020 Hurricane Period
1. A total of 14 named storms came.
2. 7 of them were hurricanes.
3. 3 hurricanes were severe in intensity.
3. The Year 2020
The year 2020 happens to be the worst so far in terms of hurricanes. It turned out even worse due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A problematic situation became even more challenging.
1. There were in total a whooping 30 named storms.
2. 14 hurricanes were there.
3. In all, 7 hurricanes were catastrophic in nature.
How Accurate Are Hurricane Predictions?
A tropical storm does not develop into a hurricane within a few minutes. Often it takes days for it to intensify. Nonetheless, there are some cases of rapid intensification, also, which increases the category of a hurricane within hours. Thankfully, modern satellite imagery is so advanced that rarely will a hurricane go unnoticed. Therefore, it can be claimed with certainty that hurricane predictions nowadays are accurate. So if your weather department is warning you about one, please pay heed and take precautionary steps.
Forming Of A Hurricane
The ENSO (El-Niño Southern Oscillator) cycle strongly influences hurricane activities. It is the irregular pattern of winds and the Pacific Ocean’s surface temperature. It creates three distinct weather phenomenons. Namely :
1. El-Niño – It is that period of the ENSO cycle when the surface temperature is warmer than usual. El- Niño is known for causing drier seasons and squelching hurricane activity.
2. La Niña – It is the complete opposite of El-Niño. La Niña is the cooling period of the ENSO cycle that triggers rainfall and hurricanes.
3. Neutral – As the name itself suggests, it is the period when nothing happens.
A chain of events leads to the building of hurricanes. The warm and moist air rises from the oceans and builds a low-pressure area below. The surrounding air, which is at higher pressure, pushes in and finds its way into the low-pressure area. This warm air picks up moisture from the ocean, and it, too, rises. The warm air continues to rise, and the surrounding air continues to spin in to replace it. As the warm and moist air rises and loses its heat, the moisture in the air causes clouds to form. The complete wind and cloud system swirls and becomes bigger and bigger, nourished by the evaporating water and the ocean’s heat. The wind grows in velocity around the core, building bad weather conditions over water. As the complete system moves towards the shore, it brings in high winds and torrential rains.
In A Hurricane What Causes Damage?
A hurricane brings in two things:
1. High winds
2. Torrential rains
High winds can blow away roofs and collapse portions of a building. It can also uproot trees and structures, causing further damage. Similarly, heavy rains will cause flooding. Typically, a hurricane lasts for anywhere between 7 to 14 days. Imagine the destruction that it can leave in its wake in that long a period. God forbid if it’s a category three or more hurricane, it will lead to a catastrophe of gigantic proportions.
Protect Against Hurricanes
There is only so much you can do to protect yourself and your property against damage from hurricanes. Some things that you must do are:
1. Revisit your insurance policy and make sure you have purchased adequate insurance against a hurricane. It should also cover damage due to floods.
2. Board up your doors and windows to maximize protection.
3. Set up a cage-like structure around the outdoor unit of the HVAC system to protect it from damage.
4. Ensure that no big trees are growing near your residential or commercial building.
5. Tie down all loose things in and around your building. You could store them inside the garage or any such closed yet secure structure.
Aztil Air Conditioning At Your Service
Aztil Air Conditioning is one of the best HVAC contractors in South Florida. We serve the West Palm Beach area and will be glad to be of guidance in preparing and safeguarding your residential or commercial HVAC from damage due to hurricanes. We provide several air conditioning services. You can contact us for HVAC installation, repairs, and maintenance. Since we offer emergency services, you do not need to worry about a convenient time. To book an appointment, you can reach out to us at +1-888-729-8452.
