This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

While many people are breathing a sigh of relief that hurricane season is over, the winter months often signal an increase in the number of storms known as northeasters. These coastal storms develop around regions of low pressure and are fueled by strong temperature contrasts between cold northern air and warmer southern air masses. Northeasters typically produce higher than normal tides with waves ranging from 5 to 15 feet high and winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour. Unlike hurricanes, which are here today and gone tomorrow, northeasters can stall just off the coast — potentially increasing the amount of damage to beaches and coastal communities. For more information about northeasters, visit deseagrant.org.

This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program and this station.