Researchers are predicting an “above-average” 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, with 17 named storms and eight hurricanes.
Of those eight hurricanes, four are expected to be major, according to the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project.
Dr. Philip Klotzbach, hurricane specialist at CSU, presented the forecast Thursday during the National Tropical Weather Conference.
Klotzbach said the primary reason for the above-average forecast is based on a predicted lack of El Niño and a warmer-than-normal subtropical Atlantic Ocean.
The hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30.
An average hurricane season generally produces 12 named storms and six hurricanes.
The past five seasons back to 2015 each have had more hurricanes than the average.
In 2019, 18 named storms formed in the Atlantic with 6 becoming hurricanes and 3 became major hurricanes.
The long-term average is 12 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes and three of those major.
The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season was record-breaking, with 30 named storms and 13 hurricanes, including six major hurricanes and was only the second time the Greek alphabet was utilized to complete a season.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is expected to release their forecast in May.
Typically, the accuracy of an early forecast is modest at best. The the June forecast offers good accuracy, and the the August forecasts are usually spot on.
Buckle up Beaufort….we may be in for a bumpy ride this summer and fall.
Let’s hope not.
