Good afternoon everyone. Just wanted to give you an update on what’s happening in the tropics as we continue to build up to the start of the 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season. In case you weren’t aware, the official beginning of the hurricane season is rapidly approaching. Two weeks from today, June 1st, is the first day of the season. The season runs for the six months that cover meteorological summer and fall, June 1st to November 30th. Yes, meteorological summer and fall do not coincide with astronomical summer and fall, which covers the period from around June 21st to December 21st every year.

In an effort to get ready for the upcoming season, the National Hurricane Center in conjunction with NOAA will be running its annual Hurricane Awareness Week starting next Sunday, May 25th and continuing all week until Saturday, May 31st. Topics that will be featured during the week include the following: History, Hazards (Rain, Wind, and Surge), Forecast, Prepare, and Act. This week has become a fixture at the NHC over the time Hurricaneville has been in existence, and its importance is huge in light of the recent wave of tropical activity throughout the Atlantic since the 1995 season. In addition to HAW, NOAA will be issuing its annual pre-season hurricane season forecast. So, the next couple weeks will definitely be busy as the federal government does its part to get the public involved in the process of preparation and awareness.