The official beginning of the Atlantic Basin tropical season is June 1 but more often than not, we are seeing systems develop weeks before that date...

This week, the National Hurricane Center started monitoring a disturbance that had a small chance of tropical development.  This system, though not expected to become a tropical or sub-tropical system, still had to be watched for that potential.  It will bring a few showers to the Carolina coast and it may increase surf and rip current issues.

This is yet another year where we have seen activity in the tropics start early, before the season actually starts.

Since 2009, we have seen eight tropical systems develop before the June 1st start date of the Atlantic hurricane season.  Several of those storms impacted North Carolina.  Alberto, Beryl, Ana and Bonnie are four of the storms that impacted our state during that 10 year span.  Looking back at all hurricane seasons, there have been around 50 tropical systems that formed during the month of May.

Warmer sea surface temperatures may be aiding in this early tropical development.  As global temperatures have risen, so have ocean temperatures.  Warm water is the "fuel" for tropical systems and warmer oceans make for earlier storm development. 

The good news about these "pre-season" storms is that they are typically "weak".  Most are classified as a tropical depression or tropical storm.  It is rare to see one reach hurricane strength.  Hurricane Alma in 1970, was the last tropical system to gain hurricane strength during the month of May.  It is only one of four storms to do this.

There is a positive side to early season tropical systems and its a reminder that we need to make sure we are prepared in the event that a tropical system takes aim at our area.  Just like with winter storms, we need to be ready, just in case a tropical storm or hurricane heads our way.