The "Near Shore" Phenomena started to really make itself known about 1999.

1999 Storm Track of Hurricane Dennis


It came inland and then went out to sea only to return to an inland presence.


Shortly after that in the very same spot that Dennis liked so much a whopping hurricane by the name of Floyd would make its presence.

1999 storm track of Hurricane Floyd.


Then it would be in 2002 when Kyle would make a visit in a similar pattern.  Oddly, though when Kyle left its 'offshore' run it dissipated out at sea in less than 24 hours.

2002 Storm Track of Kyle. 


It would be 2 years later, in 2004, when near shore storms would dominate the Atlantic hurricane season.

The 2004 Hurricane Season.


Alex and its beginnings near shore and then went out to sea, Charly began in the Caribbean and then hugged the eastern seaboard and Gaston was similar to Alex in its pattern.

The 2005 hurricane season would be the 'maximum' for 'the normal' hurricanes with record setting numbers and 'seasonal velocities.'  


After 2005 the water vapor moved from the surface of Earth to a higher altitude and the 'character'of the hurricane changed to something far less 'normal.'  2006 was a year of transition with very few storms and the only major storms would stay at sea where they had fuel.



2007 Storm Track of Hurricane Gabrielle.

In 2007 the only hurricane the continental USA would realize was Gabrielle.  Its presence to inland was ONLY near shore.


2008 would see two near shore storms Fay and Hanna.  Fay would have a pattern somewhat similar to Katrina but not close to exact.  Hanna was nothing but near shore.

2008 Storm Track of Fay

2008 Storm Track of Hanna.


2009 did not see any major storms that would effect the continental USA.  Again repeating a pattern between 2005 and 2006, but, with far lower 'seasonal velocities.'


2010 had only one major hurricane to touch the USA and it was a near shore storm called Earl.

2010 Storm Track of Earl.


That brings us to 2011 and the current dynamics with Lee and Katia are more than disconcerting.


Katia and Lee manifested after Irene produced huge amounts of water vapor delivered to a very hot troposphere.  Their relationship is indelible and quiet frankly I do not believe the relationship is over.  As Katia moves closer to shore it will benefit from the water vapor that Lee has deposited in the troposphere which makes its dynamics more than curious.


Have a better day.