It's very possible, in reference to the initial comment here, that the season will remain unfavorable for the development of "healthy" tropical cyclones through the remainder of the season. Considering that Franklin, Harvey and Irene were all "unhealthy" (or weak) tropical storms, this seems to possibly be the case.
Frank, I'm not doubting your credentials by any means, but ALL three of them got to at least 65 mph, with Franklin and Irene reaching 70 mph. Maybe they didn't look all that great for their intensities, but they were definitely not weak. 70 mph is only 4 short of a C1 hurricane, and I don't consider any hurricane weak.
I'm not saying that the U.S. will get hit by any more hurricanes, because we may get lucky. However, I've been saying this several times over the last couple days, and I'll say it again. While I did tell you this season might be like 1995, the lack of hurricanes is reminding me a little of 2001. I know conditions might not get more favorable for more storms to develop, but it's only August 14, still almost a month away from the climatological peak of the season. We need to be patient, but if so many storms are reaching 70 mph but not quite reaching hurricane status, it tells me that if conditions get more favorable, several hurricanes could develop later.
http://www.weather.unisys.com/hurricane/atlantic/2001/
I'm not trying to wishcast either, especially since 1) I don't live in hurricane territory and 2) after last year, I think we all could use a break. But something keeps telling me we haven't seen everything 2005 has to offer. JMO.
-Andrew92