As the Canadian Hurricane Centre warns of another active hurricane season, one of the country’s top meteorologists said the COVID-19 pandemic could make it more difficult for people to prepare for a long line of tropical storms.
As the Canadian Hurricane Centre warned of another active hurricane season Friday, one of the country’s top meteorologists said the COVID-19 pandemic could make it more difficult for people to prepare for a long line of tropical storms.
“I think this year is going to be particularly important to have those preparations completed prior to the arrival of a storm because of all the other situations we’re facing,” Bob Robichaud said during the centre’s annual pre-season briefing.
“What we usually see when a storm is approaching — just one or two days prior to the storm — is lineups at stores. That is the thing you’re really going to want to avoid this year — being caught in some of those lineups.”
Robichaud said there are a number of factors behind the prediction for an active season, including the fact that ocean surface temperatures are slightly above average. The warmer the water, the more energy there is to feed a storm.
As well, reduced vertical wind shear over the Atlantic will make it less likely that tropical storms will be pulled apart as they are forming a