Will a hurricane Hit Florida in 2022?

Hurricane Season 2022

We have seen how 2021 became a record-breaking hurricane season. Luckily, most named storms and hurricanes did not spin across Florida. And now that the 2022 hurricane season is around the corner will Florida be lucky again?

There is no way to predict the future, but forecasters say that the 2022 hurricane season has the potential to be just as active as the 2021 season. This means that Floridians need to be prepared for the possibility of severe weather.

One thing that could impact the severity of the hurricane season is whether or not there is an El Niño weather pattern. This pattern is associated with warmer than normal water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. When this happens, it can lead to increased hurricane activity in the Atlantic.

Forecasters will be closely monitoring the development of El Niño in the coming months to get a better idea of what we can expect for the 2022 hurricane season. In the meantime, Floridians should make sure they have a plan in place in case a hurricane does impact our state.

A Glimpse of Last Year’s Luck

Florida has a long coastline facing the Atlantic ocean. Of all the 50 states in the US, Florida holds the record for most hurricane hits.

When scientists predicted that 2021 would be an active hurricane season, Florida became a national concern. Yet surprisingly, no major storm or hurricane made landfall in the state until the end of the hurricane season. Even more surprising is that the hurricane that did make landfall, Eta, was a category 5.

Eta first developed as a tropical wave off the coast of Africa on October 31. It slowly moved westward and then north-westward, eventually entering the Caribbean Sea on November 7. As it neared Central America, it rapidly strengthened and became a category 5 hurricane on November 9. The next day, it made landfall in Nicaragua near the town of Puerto Cabezas. It then turned northward and began moving slowly along the coast of Honduras.

Although Eta caused significant damage in Central America, resulting in over 130 deaths, it weakened to a tropical storm before making landfall in Florida on November 11. 

It then moved northeastward across the state before dissipating over the Atlantic Ocean on November 12. While Eta did not cause any deaths in Florida, it did result in significant flooding and damage, particularly in the northern and central parts of the state. 

How Will 2022 Be?

Scientists predict another active hurricane season this year. According to the forecast, there will be 20 named storms. Around 10 may turn into hurricanes, with five possibly escalating to significant hurricanes of Category 3 or above.

Florida will be unlikely to be as lucky as last year. According to scientists from Colorado State, there is a 45% possibility of a major hurricane hitting Florida or the east coast. There is also a 44% chance of the state experiencing a hurricane landfall.

On May 23, tropical storm Ana emerged on the northern side of the Atlantic, officially starting the hurricane season of 2021. However, the first storm that developed into a hurricane was Elsa, which formed on July 2. Unfortunately, Florida is on track to see more hurricanes and significant tropical storms this season. 

How Accurate Is This Prediction?

However, predicting the intensity of hurricanes is much more difficult. Scientists still have not developed an accurate way to do this. Part of the problem is that we don’t yet fully understand all of the factors that go into making a hurricane strong or weak. We are still learning about how hurricanes form and what makes them intensify or weaken.

So far, the most reliable predictor of hurricane intensity has been the amount of warm water in the ocean. This is because hurricanes need warm water to form and maintain their strength. So, if there is warmer water in the ocean, we can expect more intense hurricanes. In addition, climate change is causing the oceans to warm, which will likely make hurricanes stronger in the future.

Other factors that can affect hurricane intensity include wind shear, air pressure, and moisture in the atmosphere. These are all things that we are still trying to understand better. As we continue to study hurricanes, we will hopefully be able to improve our forecasts for how strong they will be.

The technology of hurricane forecasting has been significantly improving these past few years. Taking the case of Hurricane Laura in 2020 as an example, the difference between predicted and actual landfall locations was less than eight miles away. 

What Should You Do?

Please educate yourself on how to anticipate the risk, and ensure your whole family has prepared for it. If your house or place of work is near the beach, be aware of the risk of a storm surge. Keep listening to the NOAA and local authorities to stay updated on the forecasts and warnings.

Prepare your AC for a Hurricane

The most important thing you can do to prepare your air conditioner for a hurricane is to have it professionally serviced.

This will ensure that it is in good working order and less likely to break down during the storm.

An outdoor air conditioner should be covered with a tarp or plywood to protect it from flying debris. You should also secure loose parts so they don’t become projectiles in high winds.

Indoor air conditioners need to be protected from flooding. If you live in an area prone to flooding, you should consider moving your air conditioner to a higher location. If this isn’t possible, you can create a barrier around the unit with sandbags or plastic sheeting.

Most people don’t know that their air conditioner needs to be appropriately secured to avoid damage during a hurricane. As a result, many homeowners find themselves dealing with costly repairs after a storm.

To ensure your AC is secured correctly, start by checking the manufacturer’s instructions. Next, you’ll likely need tie-down straps to secure the unit to its concrete slab. Florida building code requires that these straps can withstand winds up to 150 mph.

Once you have the proper straps in place, check them periodically to ensure they are still securely fastened. This is especially important before a hurricane is expected to hit.

These simple steps can help protect your AC unit and keep it running smoothly for years to come.

Once the hurricane has passed, you should inspect your air conditioner for any damage. If it appears damaged, do not try to turn it on. Instead, call a professional for service and make necessary repairs.

Following these tips can help ensure that your air conditioner survives a hurricane unscathed.

 

ECM Air Conditioning, with its headquarters located in Boynton Beach, FL, provides air conditioning services within Palm Beach County, Broward County, Martin County, and St. Lucie County. If you’re looking to have a new HVAC system installed, we’re on-call and ready to assist you. So if you’re in need of an HVAC installation, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an inspection! Our HVAC installation experts will check your ductwork, measure, check wire sizes, and more before making recommendations to ensure maximum efficiency and comfort. Call us at 561-295-1763 or contact our HVAC installation team online by clicking here.