Currently in Boston — August 24th, 2022
The weather, currently.
After two days of showers and muggy conditions it will turn warmer and a little drier. Showers will end in the next few hours followed by Sunshine for Wednesday. Temperatures will reach into the '80s and it will actually be a nice Beach day. Hot conditions are part of the forecast on Thursday with readings near 90°F Inland and '80s at the beaches. Friday is similar with a little more humidity and the chance for an evening shower or thunderstorm. It will still be warm but not as warm over the weekend with plenty of sunshine.
What you need to know, currently.
No Atlantic named storms since #Colin weakened to a tropical depression on July 2nd, and none forecast for the next 5 days per National #Hurricane Center. 4 times in past 30 years has Atlantic had no named storm activity between July 3rd and August 3rd: 1993, 1999, 2000 and 2009. pic.twitter.com/DDygDICg7t
— Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) July 29, 2022
The 2022 Atlantic season is off to its slowest start in 30 years.
Two recent Gulf tropical disturbances failed to become depressions or storms, but activity is expected to rise in the next few weeks. Right now, that leaves us with three named storms: Alex, Bonnie and Collin. Colorado State University tropical scientist Phil Klotzbach stated that this was the first time in 40 years that no named storms formed between July 3rd and August 22nd in the Atlantic Basin.
So why is this happening? First, there is Saharan dust present in the main development region of the tropics.
“The persistent dust is a problem because it smothers any developing thunderstorms in the Atlantic that have any potential of becoming a tropical storm,” said Megan Montero, Currently’s Interim Chief Meteorologist.
In short, the strong low latitude wind in combination with sinking air hinders storm formation. There are also high winds across the Atlantic basin. And, the high pressure system that’s usually found over Bermuda at this time is farther north, resulting in heat waves and intense droughts that cause even more dry air.
While there’s no known correlation between a slower hurricane season start and intensity nor how the rest of it goes down, Klotzbach points out that 90 percent of all Category 3 or stronger Atlantic Basin hurricanes happened after August 20th. Also, the peak of the season usually occurs around September 10th.
“Do not count the season out yet,” said Montero. “There are still several atmospheric and oceanic conditions that favor an active hurricane season.”
For example, we’re in a La Nina year, which tend to see more Atlantic hurricane activity. There are also weaker tropical Atlantic trade winds, an active African Monsoon and higher sea surface temperatures.
In the meantime, it’s important to stay prepared!
—Aarohi Sheth
