The image at left shows the frequency of Atlantic Hurricanes over the last 100 years as described by the climatology at the NHC Homepage. It shows that while the hurricane is well underway in June and July (the season officially begins June 1), the season really spins up in August and peaks in mid-September. So we can expect an increase in tropical storm activity and intensity throughout August. This peak is due to the fact that ocean waters actually reach their peak temperatures in September (dry land reaches peak temperatures in late July).

This is also accompanied by a slight change in the track of the storms. The July climatology shows tropical storms developing over the West Indies and tracking either to the Gulf of Mexico or along the coast of the Southeastern States. Note that hurricanes Dolly and Cristobal both followed these paths, respectively, in the past week.The August climatology shows an over all intensification of tropical cyclone activity, but also a new track towards Florida not visible in July. As well, storms appear to be more likely to veer northward in the Gulf of Mexico, unlike July storms like Dolly which hook westward towards the coast of Southern Texas and Mexico.