Is the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season over? Officially, no, as it ends on Nov. 30, in about two weeks.
Unofficially, probably so, at least as far as Dennis Feltgen, spokesman for the National Hurricane Center, is concerned.
“I did tell my wife, Ann, this past weekend that we are safe in raiding the hurricane supplies we have stored up,” said Feltgen, who in the past has made it a point to warn residents not to break into their supplies too early.
Feltgen said it’s unlikely any more storms will form this year because tropical waters have cooled, cold fronts are descending across the United States regularly and there’s “wind shear all over the place.”
“There’s absolutely nothing going on in the tropics,” he said, adding, “I hope I am not jinxing anything, as the season does not end for two weeks yet.”
Among his storm supplies: canned spam – “My wife’s idea, not mine” - tuna, fruit cups, chili, beef stew and soups; four boxes of protein bars; two boxes of crackers; two boxes of Pop Tarts; two 12-packs of soda and peanut butter and jelly.
Most of those supplies will be donated to charity, Feltgen said.
If no other storms form, the season would end with 18 named storms, including six hurricanes. That would tie 2011 with 1969 as the sixth busiest season on record.