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Latest Advisories
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- There are currently no storms in the Atlantic basin.
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General Information
 Hurricane Rita - 2005 (GOES-12 Imagery) The Atlantic Hurricane Season is from June 1 - November 30. The areas potentially affected by this hurricane season are western Spain & Portugal, the British Isles, the western Mediterranean, Bermuda, northern South America, east Latin America, eastern Mexico, all of the islands in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, the entire southeastern US (southern Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida), and the eastern Atlantic seaboard states (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland... and even potentially Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Massachussets, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine).
The most active part of the hurricane season is from late July - early October.
Many couples love the beautiful coasts along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. These areas are perfect for destination weddings and honeymoon getaways. However, many couples worry that their plans may be truncated by a hurricane or severe tropical weather event. Couples should keep in mind that hurricanes are actually rare weather events. Even so, it is always best to plan ahead and to see when the best times are for visiting these areas. It should also be noted that these areas are very well-prepared for dealing with severe weather events so even if severe tropical weather does "rain on your parade", chances are your hosting venue will have a plan in place to make your visit as comfortable as possible.
| Tip: | If you want an excellent deal on lodging and events, then going to the coasts during hurricane season is your best bet! Hotels, restaurants, and transportation are much cheaper during hurricane season. |
When & Where Hurricanes Hit
Because of water temperature variables, continental weather systems, and other climatological circumstances, hurricanes have historical tracks that they tend to take at different times of the year.
Below you will see maps for each month of the Atlantic Hurricane Season and where, historically, hurricanes tend to form and strike.
 Hurricane Strike Probability - June |  Hurricane Strike Probability - July |  Hurricane Strike Probability - August |
Always keep in mind that hurricanes are rare events. The probability of you experiencing a hurricane, even during the heart of hurricane season, is still fairly low. 2005 was the most active hurricane season ever recorded and only 15 of the 27 storms became hurricanes. Of those, only 7 were major hurricanes.
These diagrams are just to give you a general idea of where hurricanes can form and strike at different points of the year, and for use as very general reference material. Hurricanes can form/strike in areas not identified and will not strike in areas that are identified. While we know how hurricanes form, predicting them and whether or not a storm system will form into a hurricane is more difficult.
 Hurricane Strike Probability - September |  Hurricane Strike Probability - October |  Hurricane Strike Probability - November |
Understanding Hurricane Maps
The National Hurricane Center is your best source for up-to-the-minute hurricane information. Other good online weather resources are The Weather Channel and Intellicast. The National Weather Service will give you information on specific cities and regions, as well as provide you with up-to-the-minute listings of watches and warnings.
 Cut-out of NHC hurricane advisory map
The orange circle with the black dot indicates the current location of the hurricane's eye. As seen in the explained advisory box below, the red outlined areas indicate areas which are currently under a hurricane warning. The blue outlined areas indicate a tropical storm warning. The pink outlined areas indicate a hurricane watch and the yellow areas indicate areas under a tropical storm watch.
Understanding Hurricane Advisories
 Sample NHC graphical advisory box
- This is the name of the storm, the date and time of the advisory.
- This shows the current maximum sustained wind, which is used to categorize the hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The next line shows how fast the storm is moving and in which direction.
- A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions will occur in the warning area in about 24 hours. Evacuation orders should be heeded and hurricane preparations should be rushed to completion.
- A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area and usually within 36 hours.
- A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions will occur in the warning area in about 24 hours. Storm preparations should be rushed to completion.
- A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible in the specified area and usually within 36 hours.
Hurricane Intensities
Hurricane intensities are measured by the wind speed of the storm according to the Saffir-Simpson Scale.
- Category 1 - (Minor hurricane, 74-95 mph) - No real damage to building structures. Damage primarly to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage.
- Category 2 - (96-110 mph) - Some roofing material, door, and window damage to buildings. Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile homes, and piers. Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of center. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings.
- Category 3 - (Major hurricane, 111-130 mph) - Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Mobile homes are destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 feet ASL (at sea level) may be flooded inland 8 miles or more.
- Category 4 - (Severe hurricane, 131-155 mph) - More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof strucutre failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain continuously lower than 10 feet ASL (at sea level) may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas inland as far as 6 miles.
- Category 5 - (Severe hurricane, 155+) - Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 feet ASL (at sea level) and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5 to 10 miles of the shoreline may be required.
Travel Tips
- Be sure the resort where you are staying has a hurricane plan.
- Make sure everything you buy is refundable: plane tickets, cruise tickets, etc.
- Bring waterproof containers to store your important paper documents such as passports, traveler's cheques, etc.
- Watch the weather closely. Formulate an emergency plan should weather conditions deteriorate.
- Always let someone who will not be traveling with you know of your location, emergency numbers, etc.
- Bring extra cellular phone batteries or a device capable of charging cellular phones without electricity.
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