Category Archives: Climatology

What is the weather like cruising the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico during August?

Posted on July 22, 2021 by Fred Pickhardt

The weather during August is a very warm in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico and this is also the month when tropical cyclones become active. Gale force winds are rare, however,  but can occur in the vicinity of tropical storms and hurricanes.  Continue reading →

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2021 North Atlantic Hurricane forecasts

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Fred Pickhardt

Each spring there are numerous government and private organizations that undertake the task of predicting the North Atlantic Hurricane season.  This year, the 2021 North Atlantic hurricane forecasts are calling for another above-normal hurricane season with between 12 and 20 … Continue reading →

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Case Study: Marine Weather Reconstruction, Arabian Sea

Posted on October 17, 2020 by Fred Pickhardt

I was asked to review a marine weather analysis report of conditions in the northern Arabian Sea, east of Socotra Island during July of 2008 that was presented by a weather consulting company on behalf of cargo interests. Continue reading →

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Florida West Coast Hurricanes 

Posted on September 12, 2020 by Fred Pickhardt

September and October are the two months when the Florida West Coast is most at risk of encountering a landfalling hurricane.  Continue reading →

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Tampa Bay Hurricane Storm Surge Scenarios

Posted on May 30, 2020 by Fred Pickhardt

While no storm scenario is a good one for the Tampa Bay area, the worst case is when the hurricane center is located north of the Tampa Bay entrance such that the maximum winds associated with the eye wall occur at the mouth of the bay with storms making landfall farther north result in lower surges. Continue reading →

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Tale of Two Hemispheres

Posted on August 10, 2019 by Fred Pickhardt

Interesting split in SST temperatures for the Northern Hemisphere vs. the Southern Hemisphere.  The Northern Hemisphere SST anomaly is predominately warmer than normal while the Southern Hemisphere appears to be mostly cooler than normal. NOAA Global SST Anomaly https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/data/sst/anomaly/2019/anomnight.8.8.2019.gif   … Continue reading →

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What is the greenhouse effect?

Posted on January 29, 2019 by Fred Pickhardt

What is meant by the greenhouse effect? What is the greenhouse effect and how does it affect our climate? The sun is the primary source of energy here on the earth.  Heat generated from the earth’s interior (geothermal heat) is … Continue reading →

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What’s the weather like cruising the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico during February?

Posted on January 9, 2019 by Fred Pickhardt

If you are planning a cruise or will be sailing during the month of February check out what weather to expect in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.    Wind Over the Caribbean during February winds tend to be … Continue reading →

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North Atlantic Cooling will affect the Hurricane Season

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Fred Pickhardt

The main tropical development area for the North Atlantic continues to cool relative to recent averages suggesting a stronger than normal Bermuda-Azores ridge. When this high pressure ridge is stronger or displaced west, as it appears to be now, tropical storm … Continue reading →

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What’s the weather like cruising the Caribbean during December?

Posted on November 10, 2017 by Fred Pickhardt

Wind Over the Caribbean during December winds tend to be mostly from the east or northeast averaging forces 4-5 (11-21 knots).  Over the Gulf of Mexico winds tend to be more variable but still averaging mostly forces 4-5 (11-21 knots).  … Continue reading →

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