Forecasters Expect More Hurricanes This Season
Mother Nature seems to be having fun with the East coast. From a severe heat wave to possibly double the number of hurricanes in a typical season – this could be a year of extreme weather for Eastern residents.
On Thursday, federal weather forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration increased their prediction for the number of storms expected to form in the Atlantic Ocean this year. At a maximum this season, the number has doubled to 14 to 19 storms, with 7 to 10 of them being hurricanes, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. Three to five of the hurricanes are predicted to bring 111 mph winds.
The increase in storms is thought to be caused by warmer than usual ocean waters and favorable atmospheric conditions. The possible redevelopment of La Nina, a weather pattern that reduces wind strength over the Caribbean Sea and tropical Atlantic, is also thought to be a major contributor. During a period of La Nina, the sea surface temperature across the Pacific Ocean is lower than usual by 3 to 5 degrees.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
While this prediction is steep, this year’s hurricane season pales in comparison to 2005, in which 27 storms were named. That year saw the last major hurricane to hit Florida. Hurricane Wilma is ranked among the top 5 most costly storms in history. As a result of Wilma, 62 people died and the cost was estimated at $29.1 billion.
Florida residents are likely not too thrilled about this current prediction as they are getting ready to weather the remnants of Tropical Storm Emily which has brought winds above 50mph. Though the storm weakened on Thursday, Emily is expected to drench Florida with some rains and winds this weekend, according to Weather.com.
"They're calling for one named storm a week for the remainder of hurricane season, which is almost unheard of," said Eric Burris, WPBF 25 First Alert Weather meteorologist in an online announcement Friday. "While Emily may be weak, it was a good opportunity for us to dust off our hurricane plans because our forecast just got busier."
