So what's the EPAC's excuse??

[OtherHD]

Ok, we all know how the Atlantic has been quiet with so-called "unfavorable" conditions looking to hamper development until 2010, but the EPAC has been unusually quiet...much more so than the Atlantic.

So far, 6 named storms have developed in the EPAC...

Andres was an early season tropical storm that formed on May 20. A day later, Andres succumbed to shear (and, to a lesser extent, dry air) and was unable to strengthen to much more than minimal storm strength (45 MPH) before moving over cooler waters. It dissipated on the 26th.

Blanca formed on June 16, close to the Mexican coast. Steering currents were weak, and Blanca drifted while undergoing slight easterly shear. Blancas organization waxed and waned for the next few days as the shear came and went, and she followed a stairstep-type increase in strength. Although Blanca was briefly forecast to become a hurricane, she peaked at 65MPH before moving over cooler waters and dissipating on June 22.

Three days later, an area of disturbed weather became a tropical depression just off the coast of Mexico. It initially suffered through northeasterly shear, but was able to strengthen steadily to 65MPH before moving inland on June 27. In all likelihood, Carlos would have been a hurricane given 12 more hours over water.

On July 6, a depression formed well away from land. Later that day, Dolores formed under the influence of easterly shear. Her close proximity to cooler SSTs and stable air kept Dolores in check. She peaked at 40MPH. A real yawner...

Tropical depression 5-E formed on July 10, but at first was in a strong easterly shear environment. The upper level winds lessened a bit, and TD5-E became Enrique early on July 11. Enrique steadily strengthened to 65MPH and was briefly forecast to become a hurricane. The intensification was too little too late, and Enrique moved over cooler waters shortly thereafter. Enrique was pronounced dead on July 13.

Yet another tropical depression formed on July 17 under the influence of strong easterly shear. Despite this, TD6-E became TS Felicia 12 hours later. Again, Felicia was briefly forecast to become a hurricane, but she moved into a dry environment which prohibited strengthening. The center was slightly displaced from the main convection, even though the shear was light. But Felicia continued to unravel. She moved over cooler waters after peaking at 50MPH. By July 23, the last advisory was issued.

So, with 6 named storms, the EPAC is running right on track with climatology. However, not a single hurricane (0) has formed and it is now August 3. Typically, the first EPAC hurricane forms around June 28 and normally has 3 form by this date. The first major hurricane forms around mid July. Again, we are running behind climatology in that regard. Pretty dull huh? In the NHC monthly summary for July, it states that the latest the first EPAC hurricane has formed on record is August 8. So only 6 more days until we break that record.

Now, y'all are big enough...take this info and do what you like with it, but if you ask me, this is a positive sign for the Atlantic. Any reason to think otherwise??