Quieter 2018 hurricane season predicted
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The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be less active than the prior year, the Insurance Information Institute said Thursday, as cold water temperatures are expected to reduce the number of storms.
Colorado State University’s Department of Atmospheric Science in Fort Collins said that after July 31 it is forecasting an additional nine named storms, three hurricanes and one major hurricane by Nov. 30.
The total 2018 seasonal forecast calls for 12 named storms, 5 hurricanes, and one major hurricane.
The 2017 hurricane season included 17 named storms and 10 hurricanes, six of which became major hurricanes. A major hurricane is defined as a Category 3 storm or stronger.
Philip Klotzbach, a CSU research scientist said in a statement that the below-average seasonal forecast is due to “very cold water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic,” which provide less fuel for developing tropical storms. Mr. Klotzbach is the co-author of CSU’s latest 2018 Atlantic seasonal hurricane activity.
“The tropical Atlantic remains cooler than normal, and there is a relatively high potential that a weak El Niño develops in the next several months,” the report said. “As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them.”
The report also said the tropical Atlantic has also been very dry in July, which also tends to be associated with a less active Atlantic hurricane season.
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