Tropical Storm Alpha Sets Naming Record

arno · #1 (**permalink**) 23rd-October-2005, 02:42 PM

Tropical Storm Alpha formed Saturday in the Caribbean, setting the record for the most named storms in an Atlantic hurricane season. This is the first time the U.S National Hurricane Center has resorted to using the Greek alphabet since it began naming tropical cyclones in 1953. The previous record of 21 named storms had stood since 1933. Alpha was the 22nd to reach tropical storm strength this year, and the season doesn't end until November 30. At 8 p.m. EDT, Alpha was 70 miles south of Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic. Tropical storm warnings have been posted for the entire coastline of the Dominican Republic and Haiti and for the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The storm is moving northwest at about 15 mph with winds at the center of 40 mph and is expected to make landfall late Saturday or early Sunday.

#2 (**permalink**) 23rd-October-2005, 02:52 PM

I heard a news commentary last night that seemed reasonably well informed to me. They said that the frequency of tropical storms (i.e. the reason they're running out of names at the moment) varies in a natural cycle which is probably not noticeably affected by temperature. On the other hand, the severity of the storms is directly a function of their energy, which they get from warm tropical water, which is directly affected by temperature.

If this is true and if global temperatures are affected by CO2 emissions, then human activity is probably causing these storms to be (on the average) more severe.

While I feel sympathy for the poor bastards suffering in NOLA and elsewhere, I feel it's a good thing that Katrina is making Americans sit up and think about possible connections between environmental cause and meteorological effect. It's human nature to tend not to think much about things that don't affect one personally. I wonder how GWB's stance on emissions would be affected if a storm were to dismantle his ranch in Crawford?

#3 (**permalink**) 24th-October-2005, 08:14 AM

I Am Not A Meteorologist but I do know that since we started paying attention to frequency/size of tropical storms and hurricanes in the Gulf about 150 years ago, we've been on an approximate 50-year cycle, where every 50 years or so, the storms get greater in magnitude. In the 1950s, there were some particularly strong storms, as were there in the 1900s, such as one storm 1902 that killed about 8000 people on the Texas coast, making it one of the worst disasters in American history. Now it's 2005, so we're around that high point again.

That said, we seem to also be having a few more hurricanes and tropical storms than usual, although I'd like to think this is more of just a coincidence than related to the magnitude cycle, although I wouldn't rule out that it could have something to do with global warming.

I'm really not completely sure why the 50-year magnitude cycle occurs, but it's well-documented.

Zoltan Paul Jambor · #4 (**permalink**) 24th-October-2005, 06:19 PM

Another record broken because of global warming.

When will the records stop being broken? It's not looking good for us in future years to come. The planet is starting it's furious revenge. It's slow to react, but I am sure it's persistence will make up for it's late start. The countless records which have recently been broken testify to it.

ZPJ

Richard · #5 (**permalink**) 24th-October-2005, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoltan Paul Jambor

The planet is starting it's furious revenge.

Are you sure? I thought it was because I saw a black cat this morning - an ill-omen to be sure!

Now excuse me while I go and consult some chicken entrails...

Zoltan Paul Jambor · #6 (**permalink**) 24th-October-2005, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRobster

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoltan Paul Jambor

The planet is starting it's furious revenge.

Are you sure? I thought it was because I saw a black cat this morning - an ill-omen to be sure!

Now excuse me while I go and consult some chicken entrails...

Your sarcasm is very childish.

P.S. You absolutely need to learn a little respect. Just a little bit, if not more. We are trying to run a professional site here. So, do act accordingly.

Show some class Robster. Come on man. You are more intelligent than this.

ZPJ