No hurricanes in August, but…
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Traditionally, August has been the third most dangerous month for the occurrence of tropical cyclones, preceded by October and September.
Just to remember some of the most notorious hurricanes that occurred in August in this century only, suffice to mention the fearsome Charley (2004), with category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale, and Gustav (2008), category 4.
However, almost miraculously, there were no tropical cyclones this time, which is quite rare, by the way. As long as records are kept, August has gone without hurricanes only three times in history and this, according to Dr. Luis Enrique Ramos Guadalupe, historian of meteorology in Cuba, it happened in the years 1941, 1961 and 1997.
But watch out! September can be surprising and we should cross our fingers so that hurricanes do not hit us this time. However, the statistics reveals this a a very threatening month as of cyclones as well.
Of the 349 hurricanes that occurred in September, 15 have formed in the Western Caribbean, nine in the Central Caribbean and eight in the Eastern Caribbean. In the Gulf of Mexico, 38 have taken place, while 278 have originated in the Atlantic.
Specialists point out that the frequency of tropical cyclone formation in the geographical area of the tropical Atlantic Ocean —including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea— will increase and, therefore, so will the hurricane activity over Cuba comparing to August, but somewhat lower than October.
Rains will pose another potential threat as well. September is expected to be one of the rainiest months for the island, according to the forecast of the Climate Center in its monthly bulletin.
These experts indicate that the influence of the Atlantic anticyclone decreases considerably with respect to July and August, which, together with the frequent passage of waves and tropical lows, favors an increase in precipitation.
Similarly, the frequency of tropical cyclone formation in our region also increases during this month, although the frequency of hurricanes in September is somewhat lower than that of October.
Associated with the direct or indirect influence of tropical cyclones, heavy rainfalls usually occur, but scholars indicate that, taking into account the models consulted, accumulated rainfall is forecast below-average for the western region, and within the average parameters for the central and eastern regions.
Senior citizens may remember those old spells against cyclones and storms, from the cross of salt with a knife in the center, to the upside down umbrella, without ignoring the prayers were transmitted from generation to generation.
This is part of popular culture and would only serve to "ease" the possible threat posed by a cyclone. The truth is that we must always follow the indications given by Cuba’s Civil Defense and being permanently informed.
(With information from Insmet, Cubahora, and Cubadebate)
Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff
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