That’s it. We’re done. All stop. Whoa.  Finito. The 2009 North Atlantic Hurricane season came to a close yesterday with a deafening whimper. The final total: Nine named storms, three of which were hurricanes, and of those hurricanes, two were major hurricanes with winds over 110 mph (295698.92 furlongs per fortnight). By the books, it was a below average hurricane season courtesy of El Nino. It was also the second time in three years that no hurricane made landfall in the US. Nicaragua, not so lucky.

The Prudent Mariner should continue to monitor the horizon for an extra-curricular tropical shenanigans and the not-as-sexy, no-named Nor’easters that make varsity sailing conditions and kick your fantail just as well as any hurricane can.

Secure from hurricane season. Re-stow all gear. Set the normal underway watch.

Mark Malsick

Severe Weather Liaison

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

State Climate Office

1000 Assembly Street Columbia, SC 29202

803-734-0039

MalsickM@dnr.sc.gov