Out like a lamb

All’s quiet on the East Coast as the 2009 hurricane season comes to an official close today.

Among the nine named storms during the six-month season that began in June, there were three hurricanes — two of which were considered major, with winds at more than 110 mph.

Hurricanes Bill, in August, and Fred in September, had strong winds, but stayed out to sea.

Forecasters say El Niño gets much of the credit for a less-tropical season, but is also partly the cause of a wetter one.

“It was definitely a wetter season as we had several periods of heavy rain not associated with a tropical system,” said Jim Merrell, forecaster at the National Weather Service in Newport.

El Niño is created by a warm flow of water in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It generated strong winds and wind shear in the Caribbean Basin that helped upset hurricane formation, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“We ended up with more moist conditions from the Pacific and the Gulf Coast. We had two days where 6 inches of rain fell in the area within just a couple of months of each other,” said Merrell, who said that is the first occurrence of such heavy rainfall since the center in Newport began keeping records in 1994.

Merrell said a more active jet stream created a trough along the East Coast that also helped keep tropical systems at bay.

“We had a below normal season and that fell within what (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) had forecast in their update in August,” said Merrell.

A below normal season, however, doesn’t mean residents shouldn’t use caution.

“We really want folks to be aware that even if a storm is well off shore, swells from distant storms can produce hazardous rip currents and flooding,” Merrell said, noting that swells from Hurricane Bill caused both along the East Coast.

Merrell also said that it’s never too late to prepare for next year.

“Just because we had a below normal season this year, doesn’t mean the same is true for next year,” he said. “Always have a hurricane plan in place. If you don’t have one, take some time in the next six months and form one.”