Category Archives: Ocean Storms

Ocean Storms

2025 Atlantic Hurricane Outlook

Posted on April 17, 2025 by Fred Pickhardt

As of April, conditions in the North Atlantic appear to favor a somewhat more active season than normal, however, less active than in 2024. Several hurricane outlooks have already been published, predicting between 10 and 18 named storms with 5-10 becoming hurricanes and 2-6 becoming major hurricanes. The normal season will produce 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. Continue reading →

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Who needs a Forensic Marine Weather Expert? 

Posted on August 22, 2024 by Fred Pickhardt

When weather events at sea cause damage to ships and cargo or injure crew members, just how do you determine what happened? All ship masters make frequent log entries regarding the ship’s position, vessel condition, fuel and water reserves, as well as the weather encountered. When tens of thousands to millions of dollars are at stake, the various parties involved in a marine venture need to know what actual weather conditions were encountered. Continue reading →

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2024 Hurricane Risk for Tampa Bay Update

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Fred Pickhardt

On average, a tropical storm will pass within 50 miles of Tampa Bay about once every other year, while hurricanes pass within 50 miles about once every 4 years and major hurricanes, about once every decade. Direct major hurricane hits on Tampa Bay are rare, with only 2 ever recorded; a Cat 4 storm in 1848 and a Cat 3 storm in 1921.  Continue reading →

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Top Tropical Cyclone Tracking Sites

Posted on May 3, 2024 by Fred Pickhardt

Now that the hurricane season is approaching, here are my thoughts on the best tropical  cyclone  tracking sites: Continue reading →

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Catastrophic Cat 5 Otis makes landfall near Acapulco

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Fred Pickhardt

Major Hurricane Otis continued to strengthen until near the time of landfall in southern Mexico near Acapulco, reaching a catastrophic Category 5 with max wind of 145 kts (165 mph).  Continue reading →

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Hurricane Otis nearing Cat 5 Strength

Posted on October 24, 2023 by Fred Pickhardt

Hurricane Otis is undergoing very rapid development with max winds currently at 125 kts with a min pressure of 941 mb and significant wave heights estimated 12-13 meters (40-43 feet) as it moves NNW at 7 kts. Continue reading →

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Tropical Storm Otis continues to Develop south of Acapulco

Posted on October 24, 2023 by Fred Pickhardt

Tropical Storm Otis continues to become better organized SSE of Acapulco, Mexico as it moves NNW at 7 kts. Max winds now at 60 kts with significant wave heights estimated near 7 meters (23 ft). Continue reading →

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Tropical Cyclone Lola over South Pacific has reached max winds of 120 knots

Posted on October 23, 2023 by Fred Pickhardt

Tropical Cyclone Lola over the South Pacific NNE of Port Vila, Vanuatu has intensified to 120 kt max winds with significant wave heights to 15-15.5 meters (about 50 ft) Continue reading →

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Tropical Cyclone Hamoon rapidly deepened over Bay of Bengal

Posted on October 23, 2023 by Fred Pickhardt

Tropical Cyclone 06B (Hamoon) has deepened rapidly over the Bay of Bengal today and now has reached a max wind of 70 kts Continue reading →

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Tropical Cyclone LOLA intensifies over the South Pacific

Posted on October 22, 2023 by Fred Pickhardt

Tropical Cyclone 01P (LOLA) over the South Pacific, north of Port Vila currently has max winds to 75 kts and significant wave heights about 8-8.5 meters (26-28 feet) Continue reading →

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