Rare Tropical Storm Possible In April

There's nothing to freak out about, but there is a possibility we could see a tropical storm in April. We might have to start watching the tropics early this year. A story on ClickOrlando.com came out that conditions are right for a tropical disturbance to possibly form in the Gulf or the Atlantic. Possibly. Not happening. But, could happen.  Just a good idea to note that weather is changing and we are already seeing hotter temps earlier then normal, so the possibility of storms could happen earlier than normal. The average temps in Tampa the past week have been in the mid-to high 80's.

The "cold front" that we got on Easter looks like it will stall out over the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic.  This front would be the focal point for a developing disturbance. First of all, if something does develop, it would be too early to tell if it would be a tropical system or a hybrid subtropical storm. A hybrid storm is fueled by both warm water and differences in temperature in the atmosphere.

The water temperature in the Gulf is already around 80, so that is right where it needs to be for storms to develop.  Water temps are above normal.  The air temperatures are above average already.  We are in need of rain bad here with a drought warnings throughout most of Florida, but we don't wish for a tropical depression to form.

Hurricane Season officially starts June 1 and lasts through November. Daily updates from the National Hurricane Center begin May 15.

The last time a named storm developed in the Atlantic was Tropical Storm Arlene in 2017. No coincidence whatsoever, but the first name on the list for 2023 is also Arlene.  Colorado State University issues their first forecast for the upcoming season on April 13.

[Source: Click Orlando]

It'll be here before you know it. Hurricane season is upon us and if Ian and Helene  taught us anything, it's better to be safe than sorry. Even though Tampa was barely able to avoid the worst of Ian, we still remember people scrambling to get last-minute supplies. Some waited in lines for hours for supplies only to leave empty-handed. Don't let that be you this year! In the case of a major hurricane or even a tropical storm, you should have these 5 things before hurricane season starts.

Experts say it's super important to build a storm kit before any type of disaster. Each kit may look different based on an individual's needs. These are the universal 5 items you shouldn't forget! We found all of these items on Amazon. If you think ahead and order these items now, you should be able to build your storm kit before hurricane season even starts. Anybody can remember to stock up on the essentials (bottled water, food, and batteries) but do you have these useful items in your home in case of a big storm?

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has also listed hurricane safety tips and resources so you and your family can be prepared. When shopping for supplies, you should grab enough items like water, food, and batteries, to be able to last you for at least 1 week. It also seems pretty obvious that every Floridian should own a battery-operated or hand-crank radio. If you ever lose power, at least you can still be kept in the loop with your favorite radio station. And by now, everyone should have a backup portable phone charger.

Remember when everyone was scrambling all over Pinellas and Hillsborough counties looking for sand bags? Most pick-up locations were only allowing people to pick up 2-3 bags per person, which is probably not enough to surround your house/belongings.

If you order these empty sandbags on Amazon now, you should have them by next week. It will make your life a lot easier to just drive to your nearest beach or causeway and fill the bags up that way.

We all know how crappy it is to lose power in the middle of a hurricane. In some cases, you may not know when it will be restored. Amazon has this really cool battery powered camping lantern with a fan for only $20. Reviews say that 1 set of D batteries lasted them over 10 hours.

If you live in Florida and don't have a decent pair of rain boots, now is your time to get a pair. If the thought of gross storm water touching your skin freaks you out, you should grab a pair of these knee high waterproof boots.

It's better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it, right? Check out this mini water filtration system for just $22 on Amazon.

You don’t want to ruin important documents like social security, state issued ID and birth certificates, prescription medication, copies of insurance documents, to name a few. Bonus if you can convert other important documents to an USB flash drive! You'll want something big enough to hold all of your belongings, but compact enough to carry around in case you have to evacuate. Amazon has a great option, here.

This one may seem obvious, which is why we made it an honorary mention in case it does slip your mind. Remember how bored you were when you lost power from Ian? Some board games, deck of cards, or coloring books should help you pass the time, without killing your phone battery.