The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season (June 1-Nov. 30) is now underway and the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration expects an above-average season that will include 18 named storms. Six of the storms will strengthen into Category 1 hurricanes (winds at least 74 mph), and three to six will become major hurricanes with winds of at least 111 mph (at least Category 3), NOAA forecasted.

Tropical storm Tomas is steadily moving toward Jamaica and Haiti as a tropical storm, resulting in a slew of cruise ship itinerary changes and prompting a number of storm watches and warnings.

 

Tropical Storm Paula weakened to a tropical depression over Cuba on Friday after whipping the island’s capital and its western tobacco-growing province with driving rain and high winds. There were no immediate reports of deaths, injuries or serious damage, indicating the island nation was spared the destruction it suffered from several powerful hurricanes in 2008.

Hurricane Paula was threatening the Eastern Yucatan on Tuesday, Oct. 12, forcing cruise lines to reroute cruise ships to avoid the storm. At midday, the storm was about 155 miles south-southeast of Cozumel with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph.

The Los Cabos Convention & Visitors Bureau said the destination was spared significant impact from Hurricane Jimena. Hotels and resorts are fully operational and all tourism services throughout Los Cabos have resumed.

The Government of St. Maarten reports that Hurricane Omar, a Category Three storm when it passed St. Maarten in the early morning hours of Thursday, October 16, 2008, did not result in any deaths or significant damages to its infrastructure or hotel sector. The Government of St. Maarten also reports that hotels are fully operational and functioning normally, as well as are the established tourist sites, attractions and restaurants.