Month: May 2012

The Sarasota newspaper reported today that the temperature of the Gulf of Mexico reached 81 degrees. Why would we take notice of that? Sure, it’s more comfortable to swim at the warmer temps but that’s not why we care. Hurricanes are the reason. In order for a hurricane to maintain itself, the water needs to be above 80 degrees. The storms use the heat of the water to produce their energy.  After a warmer than normal winter, the water in the Gulf has reached that critical temperature earlier than usual. Officially, hurricane season does not begin until June 1....