It's that time once again: Atlantic Hurricane Season. Welcome back, everyone. Hopefully this season won't be as menacing as the 2004 season was, whether for those of us in Florida or those of us elsewhere. Unfortunately, this season has the potential to be an active one, so we'll be keeping an eye to the tropics over the next 6 months for anything suspiscious.

Much work has gone into the system here at the CFHC to make these "blogs" a reality, so thanks and credit are due to Mike, John, Ed, and all of the moderators here for making this a reality. Through these blogs, Jason, Ed, and I will be able to provide you all with unique additional insight as the hurricane season progresses from our own perspectives, with maybe even a nice surprise or two along the way. You'll also see new and improved maps and products from Skeetobite as storms threaten, plus the same commentary and communication you've come to expect from the CFHC. All in all, we're prepared for whatever Mother Nature may bring this year, and hope you'll stick around for the ride.

For now, the tropics remain quiet. Sea surface temperatures, as Jason mentioned, are warm across the basin -- anomalously so in many cases -- but shear is too high across much of the region to support any development. Should that change, however, we'll be ready to provide you with insight and analysis. But of course, always keep the words of the NHC and your local authorities foremost in your mind when any storm threatens.

Stay tuned here through the coming weeks & months: I think you'll like what you see. If you have any questions about something related to the weather or the tropics, please feel free to send them to one of us via private message or e-mail. And, on behalf of everyone here, welcome to the 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season!