Hurricanes of Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Bermuda
Abstract This chapter surveys the hurricane climatology for regions of the West Indies and the western North Atlantic. Similarities in hurricane activity are noted between the regions. Yet each region displays unique characteristics. In particular, data are examined for the occurrence of hurricanes...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Book Part |
| Language: | unknown |
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Oxford University PressNew York, NY
1999
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780195125085.003.0009 https://academic.oup.com/book/chapter-pdf/52435227/isbn-9780195125085-book-part-9.pdf |
| Summary: | Abstract This chapter surveys the hurricane climatology for regions of the West Indies and the western North Atlantic. Similarities in hurricane activity are noted between the regions. Yet each region displays unique characteristics. In particular, data are examined for the occurrence of hurricanes over and around Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Bermuda. Hurricanes that influence Puerto Rico tend to arrive in bunches separated by long intervals of little activity. This suggests their frequencies may be related to long-period changes in climate. Higher surface pressures over the area might inhibit activity during some decades. While hurricanes of Puerto Rico are most likely during September, Jamaica sees a proportionally larger number of storms during October. This is related to the previously noted annual increase in the probability of storms forming over the western Caribbean after the seasonal peak in activity. Bermuda also sees late-October hurricanes, but annual hurricane threat frequencies for Bermuda are positively correlated with frequencies for Puerto Rico and negatively correlated with frequencies for Jamaica. This chapter looks at these facts in some detail. |
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