Hurricane Season Late September 2022 by Eliza

Reporting from the SE Coast of Florida:

It’s that time of year, when the tropics start heating up and the potential storms are being launched off the west coast of Africa. It’s Saturday morning and we have reports of newly fledged Tropical Storm Ian beginning to build, moving west along the northern coast of Venezuela. The computer models place the storm’s future path as crossing the western tip of Cuba and then proceeding northward into the Gulf of Mexico. Right now (and this could change) the storm is predicted to make landfall somewhere between Cape Coral or Tampa Bay. There is also a strong possibility the storm will shift westward and end up further north, either on the Florida Panhandle or at the border with Alabama. There are a lot of factors and you can bet that residents in Florida are keeping an eye on this blossoming storm.

This hurricane season has been rather bereft of storms hitting mainland United States, which seems to be changing now. Huge Fiona is beating the crap out of maritime Canada and Puerto Rico’s infrastructure has been smashed, yet again. If the storm hits the west coast of Florida, the east coast will still deal with the heaviest amount of precipitation and the potential for thunderstorms and tornadoes. We’re likely to get several inches of rain out of the storm. The wind velocity and impacts will depend on where the storm makes landfall.

If the hurricane affects our coast, it will be the third hurricane I’ve lived through since moving to Florida. Like drought and forest fires out West, the Florida Peninsula, Gulf Coast, and East Coast deal with storms coming off the Atlantic. We have our dry season (winter) and our wet season (summer/autumn). Hurricane season doesn’t “officially” end until November 30th, which is when the snowbirds begin to appear locally.

Depending on storm conditions, I may or may not be able to post especially later in the week (Wednesday/Thursday).

On my walk this morning, I saw an extremely rare bird, a Night Heron. I approached nearby very carefully and didn’t disturb the bird. These herons are usually quite shy. They have a stocky build, strong long beak, and are mostly gray in coloration. I have seen other Night Herons at nearby wetlands. It’s always and joy and honor to be witness to such a rare creature.

I also heard the rumblings of a thunderstorm that was wandering southward just off the coast. Yes, it’s rainy season, but I am still getting in my walks. Next week? Well, I’ll probably miss a few days of walks.

I hope you all are enjoying autumn or spring, wherever you live. Autumn doesn’t look much different than summer here in Florida except the daytime temperatures begin to drop slightly, the humidity is still high (60% and above), and thunderstorms tend to crop up in the afternoon or overnight. Hurricanes just add to the mix. I’ve prepared by shopping early for fresh supplies. My housemates and I will clean up the backyard of any potential flying objects if the storm is headed our way. Meanwhile, it is simply keep a weather eye open, prepare, and then hunker down when the storm hits… depending on where it hits.

Meanwhile, enjoy your day.

Eliza