The Epsilon Enigma

Just when we thought we were done with the 2005 Atlantic tropical cyclone season, Tropical Storm Epsilon went and became a bone fide hurricane -- the 14th of the year -- leaving forecasters perplexed. As Reuters reports:

Hurricanes need warm water for fuel and forecasters were perplexed at Epsilon's tenacity in the chilly north Atlantic, where it had been expected to fizzle.

"I am not going to speculate any more on the future intensity of Epsilon," hurricane forecaster Lixian Avila said in an advisory on the Miami-based hurricane center's Web site.

The hurricane season officially closed on November 30, but December cyclones, while rare, are not unheard of.