Hurricane Alley- let the debate begin.

[OuterBanker]

A couple of years ago I remember someone posting that La (or was it Tx) was the reference.

Then,I remembered that I read it somewhere and I recently revisited my copy of NC’s Hurricane History by Jay Barnes (1st and 3rd edition).
His chapter 7 is entitled Hurricane Alley 1950-1960.

He states that in the mid 50’s NC was hammered by seven hurricanes in roughly a two year period earning the name.

I’m quite sure that other locations have had the reference in their areas too.

And both editions were published before 2004 and 2005 season.

So I propose that we all hand the title to Florida.

(They are welcome to it).

[wxman57]

What's your point? Read your post 4 times and still can't figure out what you're saying. What does your first sentence mean, for example? LA or TX is a reference for what?

Not sure what this means, either: "I’m quite sure that other locations have had the reference in their areas too."

"So I propose that we all hand the title to Florida." <-- what title?

You can check previous tracks here:

http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/atlantic/index.html

[Migle]

What's there to debate about? What state is the Hurricane Alley?

[OuterBanker]

LOL, just read my post (didn't proof before posting)

It was just a quick post while bored out of my skull waiting for my wife at the doctor's office. Didn't think it out obviously.

I guess my point (and question) is where did the term Hurricane Alley originate?

And doesn't it apply in multiple places.

[Hurricane Jed]

I would say Hurricane Alley applies to a stretch that starts at the Cape Verde Islands and then slowly expands to include everything from the Leeward Islands, West Indies and Gulf of Mexico to several hundred miles off the Bahamas, East Coast and Atlantic Canada. At least that's why I think of and grew up learning I guess.

[vbhoutex]

I would say Hurricane Alley applies to a stretch that starts at the Cape Verde Islands and then slowly expands to include everything from the Leeward Islands, West Indies and Gulf of Mexico to several hundred miles off the Bahamas, East Coast and Atlantic Canada. At least that's why I think of and grew up learning I guess.

Not being mean or anything, but that sound like an alley turning into a 40 lane freeway. I have never heard the term before this(guess I've lead a sheltered life). I think several different places could claim the title, expecially the islands and FL. Of course to really come up with an alley or alleys one would have to place some parameters on it such as during what time period.

[Hurricane Jed]

Yeah but look how big tornado alley is though and all the states or portions of states it encompasses. Its not one state that has all the tornadoes, just the region where they are most likely to form. Same with hurricane alley because I don't think its where they strike but rather where they form and the "lanes" or "tracks" that they travel most commonly. Florida gets hit by so many hurricanes because its in the way of most tropical cyclones and impediment to their track. Its not like Florida is this powerful magnet that draw tropical cyclones to it, its merely in the way of them.

[wxman57]

The only time I'd ever heard the term "hurricane alley" was at the website with the same name. Back in the old days, we used the term "the envelope" to describe a region where most storms that impact the northern Gulf Coast pass through.

When a storm would cross into the Caribbean well south of the Greater Antilles we would say that it was "entering the envelope".

[Hurricane Jed]

The only time I'd ever heard the term "hurricane alley" was at the website with the same name. Back in the old days, we used the term "the envelope" to describe a region where most storms that impact the northern Gulf Coast pass through.

When a storm would cross into the Caribbean well south of the Greater Antilles we would say that it was "entering the envelope".

"The envelope" huh? I like it.

[Orlando_wx]

This is the only thing wiki has on this not much

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Alley

[Hurricane Jed]

Wouldn't have expected wikipedia to have a page for Hurricane Alley.

[Steve H.]

I always understood Hurricane Alley as the area between Cuba and the Greater Antilles and southern tip of Florida that the storms pass through to reach the GOM.

[Hurricane Jed]

We should poll this. And whatever wins is what we'll define hurricane alley as.

[SETXWXLADY]

I have used the term "Hurricane Alley" in the past few years. And I imagine that many have felt like they were in the middle of it as well at times. lol But in my very unscientific research I have found the Florida is the US state with the most strikes on record with Texas second. My theory is Florida has the most coast line and Texas the second most. But that doesnt really tell the whole story of which states are affected by these storms. Both Rita and Audrey made landfall in LA but they packed a wallop for TX as well. Ike "hit" Texas but LA got slammed too. I think Carla affected LA too I may be wrong but she was a big one. I'm sure the other countries have their stories as well. I'd be happy with the middle of the Atlantic ocean holding the "title" for a while.

[wxman57]

I always understood Hurricane Alley as the area between Cuba and the Greater Antilles and southern tip of Florida that the storms pass through to reach the GOM.

Most storms that enter the Gulf come through the Yucatan Channel, not the Florida Straits.

[Steve H.]

I understand that Most storms come through the Yucatan channel, but I have often heard of the Florida Straits as being referred to as hurricane alley since storms have passed through that bowling "lane" and have heard John Hope refer to that area as hurricane alley as well.

[wxman57]

I understand that Most storms come through the Yucatan channel, but I have often heard of the Florida Straits as being referred to as hurricane alley since storms have passed through that bowling "lane" and have heard John Hope refer to that area as hurricane alley as well.

Hey, who am I to argue with the great John Hope (sure miss him)! I think that a "hurricane alley" might include the Florida Straits south through the Caribbean, rather than just one or the other areas.

[Steve H.]

I agree. Hurricane Alley can be at many locations where cyclones can typically and often pass through. I am only going by John's reference when he used that term. Back to the reference from the Cape Verde through the Caribbean islands may be just as valid.