8/4 NEWSBREAK: Hurricane season kicks into higher gear in August

Although June and July had been relatively quiet in terms of summer storms, the month of August generally begins a rapid climb to the climatological peak of the hurricane season on September 10. Historically, 90% of all hurricanes and 95% of all major hurricanes happen after August 1 until the season ends in November.

In May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season, while Colorado State University (CSU) updated its seasonal hurricane forecast to above-average activity. So far, this season has already had the fourth most active start of any season since 1851 with five named storms and one hurricane.

“It’s the clash of the titans: record warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures and robust El Niño,” said CSU research scientist Phil Klotzbach.

An El Niño weather pattern increases vertical wind shear that typically suppresses hurricane formation in the Atlantic, but the extreme warmth in the ocean is anticipated to counteract some of that this season. As temperatures continue to increase entering August, cyclone development subsequently increases, according to CSU.

For resources on how to be prepared for the season, Charleston City Paper this year offered a guide for hurricane preparedness, including an emergency kit checklist and safety tips.

Also in the City Paper:

CP OPINION: S.C. may need to take another look at lottery scholarships

“Bottom line: The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund is making a real difference in young lives across the 11 counties it serves. And it aspires, through its new Mission 46 initiative, to build a donor network across the state to serve students throughout South Carolina. The benefit: about $85 million in scholarships a year.”

CP CARTOONS:

CP NEWS: Charleston’s Lanxess chemical plant studies new warning system. The Lanxess chemical plant in Charleston’s Neck area, which has come under increased attention following recent chemical leaks, is considering a new way to send emergency information to residents near the site.

CP NEWS: Lowcountry communities get involved in preservation project. The city of Charleston is hosting a series of five public information sessions through August to give people around the area a chance to get hands-on with Gullah Geechee heritage preservation.

CP NEWS: Tax-free weekend provides money-saving opportunities. The 6% state tax that shoppers usually pay will be waived from Friday through Sunday thanks to the annual sales tax-free weekend. Also waived: applicable local taxes for both in-store and online purchases for certain items.

CP NEWS: Monarch butterflies in coastal S.C. exhibit unique patterns, study finds. A new study from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources found that instead of migrating toward Mexico in the winter, a unique population stays along the S.C. coast in December, January, February and early March from northern Myrtle Beach through the Charleston area.

CP MUSIC: 2023 City Paper Music Award nominations open Aug. 8. Each year, Charleston City Paper recognizes outstanding Holy City talent with 17 categories spotlighting various genres. Nominations will open Aug. 8, and the top five nominees in each category will advance to the next voting round.

In other recent news:

Lowcountry Food Bank celebrates 40 years of serving the community. A Thursday night celebration was dedicated to the 40 years of Lowcountry Food Bank’s work across the Lowcountry, growing from distributing 140,000 lbs. of food in their first year to distributing 40 million pounds last year.

Charleston-area senior facility with $2M average units to begin construction soon. Work on a $215 million senior living development between Kiawah and Seabrook islands with units averaging close to $2 million each will begin in September now that it has secured proper funding.

Charleston Co. Board of Elections to relocate. The Charleston County Board of Elections will soon have a new home at 4340 Corporate Road in North Charleston beginning Monday, with more space and parking.

Charleston continues battle to ban parked auto carriers in West Ashley. Charleston City officials say car carrier trailers, which carry multiple passenger vehicles, create a “huge” safety concern when they are parked in the median of the highway or along the neighborhood streets, and are working continuously to crack down on illegally parked trailers.