During the 2006 Atlantic Hurricane Season (Late May through late November 2006), the El Nino effect in the far western Pacific, significantly influenced the storm tracks in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico and kept the tropical systems well to the south and east of coastal US waters. Except for a couple fringe involvements along the central east coast of the US, there were no direct landfalls on US territories.
The 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season may be a different story. Our weather analysis group in Alabama has started running computer projection modeling and our very early findings are in line generally with the predictions of Professor William Gray, a notable Atmospheric Scientist. The details published by his group can be found here:
http://typhoon.atmos.colostate.edu/F.../2006/dec2006/
The lessening of the El Nino effect, has the potential to restore the normal storm tracks this coming season. That can be problematic because we all remember the 2004 and 2005 seasons with their devastating landfalls in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
As more information becomes available regarding updates for this coming 2007 season, we will post that information in this general area. In the mean time, as we have in other forums for many years, we ask that anyone living in a Gulf or Atlantic coastal area from Brownsville, Texas, to the Canadian Maritime Provinces, to be vigilent as the season approaches and to have your preparedness kits and procedures in place. Do not rely on local, state or federal governments to take care of you personally. Take care of matters yourself... and be prepared... your safety will depend upon it.
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