StarBulletin.com

Storm season leaves isles untouched


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POSTED: Monday, November 17, 2008

With less than two weeks left, Hawaii is experiencing one of the quietest hurricane seasons ever, with only one storm on record so far.

While a late-season cyclone is always possible, as with Hurricane Iwa in November 1982, forecasters say they do not expect any major storms to arrive before the season ends Nov. 30.

Earlier this year, forecasters at the center predicted a lower-than-average season of three to four storms. The season begins June 1.

But Tropical Storm Kika was the only storm to form. It fizzled in August before it had any major impact on the islands.

That makes 2008 the quietest hurricane season since 1995, when Tropical Storm Barbara was the only storm to enter the Central Pacific. Last year there were two storms, Hurricane Flossie and Tropical Depression Cosme.

1979 was the last year in which there were no tropical storms.

“;We could have gotten the three or four storms,”; said Jim Weyman, director of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. “;There were a number of disturbances.”;

But wind shear kept the systems from building up the necessary energy to become a tropical cyclone, he said.

In an interview yesterday, Weyman cautioned residents to be prepared but noted that there are no major systems moving toward the islands.

“;If you look at the whole pattern, we have many fewer storms or tropical cyclones in November,”; Weyman said. “;It doesn't look conducive to tropical cyclones forming in the Pacific.”;

Some busy hurricane seasons have been associated with El Nino conditions—higher-than-normal sea-surface temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific.

Current conditions are “;neutral”; or normal, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.