We may be feeling the effects from Tropical Storm Karen this week, but overall, this year's hurricane season has been much quieter than was predicted.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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"The cards didn't all quite line up and a few factors, which usually contribute to a busy season, haven't come to fruition," said New Jersey State Climatologist at Rutgers University Dr. David Robinson. "However, as we all learned last October 29, you can't let your guard down when it comes to looking toward the tropics until we're well into the fall."

"There hasn't been an el nino in the pacific, which helps rip apart developing storms in the Atlantic,"said Robinson. "We saw some active weather systems coming off of Africa which usually helps spawn hurricanes and the sea surface temperatures that they moved over were warmer than average."

"So, it seemed like all of the pieces were in place. But, then some shearing winds dropped in from the middle latitudes on occasion to kick the legs out from some developing storms. Then, the temperature profile in the atmosphere kept the upper atmosphere warm, which inhibits the rising motion of these percolating hurricanes out over the warm waters of the Atlantic."

The most active part of the season is over, but the past couple of years have proven that anything can happen when it comes to the weather.

"Who knows what October 29 is going to bring this year? Last year, Sandy hit and the year before, we had a snowstorm," said Robinson.

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