SAILING DRONES TO PINCH HIT FOR BUSTED BUOYS IN GULF OF MEXICO DURING PEAK HURRICANE SEASONThe last time there was a trackable cyclone in the basin was Tropical Storm Colin in July off the coast of South Carolina.August is usually the second busiest time period out of the eight months that make up the season, with September being the peak of climatological activity.
Usually, by the start of September, six named storms and two hurricanes have already formed, and the basin is on the verge of seeing its first major hurricane with winds of at least 115 mph.The 2022 season has seen just three named storms, with all being relatively weak and unorganized.Tropical tracks of Alex, Bonnie and Colin from when systems started out as disturbances. (FOX Weather) A compilation of expert analysis points to dry air and shear being two of the more prominent issues disturbances encounter in the Atlantic basin.Deviations in upper-level wind patterns in the central Atlantic, known as a tropical upper-tropospheric trough (TUTT) is the primary suspect that have led to such hostile conditions for tropical cyclones.
During active Atlantic hurricane seasons, the TUTT tends to be weaker or even non-existent."One reason may be the strong subtropical-tropical sea surface temperature gradient.
This strong gradient increases the temperature differential between the subtropics and tropics, which can help increase frontal activity into the tropics, increasing shear and bringing in dry air too," said Dr.