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Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center

With the Atlantic hurricane season quickly approaching, experts say we might have one more thing to worry about when it comes to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Discovery News points out that the warmer-than-usual growing factory of the tropical Atlantic, coupled with the fact that the oil spill is continuing to grow, may create a perfect storm—pun intended—when Atlantic hurricane season kicks off on June 1.

Oceanographer Peter Niiler of the University of California at San Diego cautions that if a hurricane enters the gulf, it could ramp up the spread of oil saying, “It will be everywhere in the Gulf and East Coast of the U.S.” Niller’s warning isn’t mere speculation; he is familiar with the way ocean currents and winds moved hundreds of “drifter” buoys around the gulf in their 90-day lifespan and has seen them dot the entire gulf thanks to the 40-knot winds of a tropical storm.

Niiler also points out that if and when the oil does reach the East Coast, it may not be diluted. “We see Mississippi water in the Loop Current all the way to Cape Cod. It’s not mixed up,” the oceanographer said, before adding that oil slicks that are sucked into the Loop will remain intact, unless a powerful hurricane mixes the ocean waters down to 150 meters.

What is the likelihood that a hurricane will strike the Gulf region? Hurricanes in the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean arise out of disturbances from Afica. The eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean is experiencing higher temperatures than in 2005—the most hurricane-ridden season on record (with a whopping 28 tropical and subtropical cyclones). Climate scientist for the National Center for Atmospheric Research Kevin Trenberth says that while “It’s likely to be quite a vigorous year for tropical storm disturbances,” “they might peter out.” Storms could be kept at bay—and out of the oil-filled Gulf Region—due to the low temperatures in the Caribbean.

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