St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island

Hurricane season in the Virgin Islands runs from June 1st until November 30th with the highest occurrences of storms in August and September. While storms of varying strength do pass over the USVI each season, you should not let hurricanes prevent you from taking a vacation. The chances of getting hit by a hurricane in the Caribbean is not much different that it is in Miami or on the Gulf Coast.

 
Live Caribbean Satellite
Source: Intellicast.com

St. Thomas (18.33 N, 64.98 W)

St. John (18.35 N, 64.73 W)

St. Croix (17.7 N, 64.8 W)

 

2008 / 2009 Hurricane Names

Hurricane Terms Glossary
Source: NOAA read more of the glossary

Hurricane Season:

The portion of the year having a relatively high incidence of hurricanes. The hurricane season in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico runs from June 1 to November 30. The hurricane season in the Eastern Pacific basin runs from May 15 to November 30. The hurricane season in the Central Pacific basin runs from June 1 to November 30.

Hurricane Warning:

A warning that sustained winds 64 kt (74 mph or 119 km/hr) or higher associated with a hurricane are expected in a specified coastal area in 24 hours or less. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.

Hurricane Watch:

An announcement for specific coastal areas that hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours.

Tropical Depression:

A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) is 33 kt (38 mph or 62 km/hr) or less.

Tropical Disturbance:

A discrete tropical weather system of apparently organized convection -- generally 100 to 300 nmi in diameter -- originating in the tropics or subtropics, having a nonfrontal migratory character, and maintaining its identity for 24 hours or more. It may or may not be associated with a detectable perturbation of the wind field.

Tropical Storm:

A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) ranges from 34 kt (39 mph or 63 km/hr) to 63 kt (73 mph or 118 km/hr)

Tropical Storm Warning:

A warning that sustained winds within the range of 34 to 63 kt (39 to 73 mph or 63 to 118 km/hr) associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in a specified coastal area within 24 hours or less.

Tropical Storm Watch:

An announcement for specific coastal areas that tropical storm conditions are possible within 36 hours.

Tropical Wave:

A trough or cyclonic curvature maximum in the trade-wind easterlies. The wave may reach maximum amplitude in the lower middle troposphere.

Hurricane Resources and Links

Hurricane Glossary:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutgloss.shtml

Past Hurricanes
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastall.shtml

Hurricane FAQs
http://www.oytec.net/hurricane/hi_faq_index.htm

Hurricane Correspondents:
http://stormcarib.com/

Hurricane Safety Tips:
http://www.hurricaneville.com/safety.html

Hurricane Podcasts:
http://www.barometerbobshow.com/podcast/

Hurricane Trip Insurance:
http://www.insuremytrip.com

Hurricane Supply List:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/supply_kit.shtml

Marine Forecasts:
http://www.weather.gov/om/marine//atlantic.htm