WEST PALM BEACH, FL---It's early October and, so far, South Florida has been spared even a whiff of a hurricane.
So, does that mean the real threat is over? Not necessarily.
It's been a slow hurricane season so far; only six named storms and two depressions have formed.
However, October can be an active month. Over the past 10 years, October has seen 37 named storms.
Hurricane Wilma in 2005 is among the most notable. Wilma started in mid-October and roared through South Florida on October 24th, causing more than $20 billion in damage.
In 1999, South Florida felt the wrath of Hurricane Irene in mid-October; though only a category one storm, it brought torrential rains. Over 17 inches fell in Boynton Beach!
The reason for calm this year goes by the name "El Nino." It's a weather event that many credit with quieting the often busy Atlantic basin.
In simple terms El Nino is the warming of the equatorial Pacific waters near Peru.
El Nino years usually see stronger upper level winds that tend to tear storms apart, before they even get a chance to strengthen.
The previous El Nino events of 2006, and 1997 also translated into a slow hurricane season, with only 7 to 9 named storms.
But it only takes one to cause major damage.
