Hurricane season approaching ‘weather’ you are ready or not

Hurricane season is just around the corner. The season officially begins June first.

What’s in store for us?

Each year, universities, private companies and government agencies issue outlooks for the upcoming hurricane season.

Accuweather hurricane expert Joe Bastardi predicts a milder year than last. He sees 13 total storms, including two major hurricanes.

Colorado State University’s Dr. Gray forecasts 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, puts out their predictions in a few weeks.

An “average” hurricane season consists of 10 storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes

This means that most of the outlooks point toward a slightly above normal season.

So what are these forecasts based on? Three main factors.

First, the projected temperature of the water. Tropical systems like the ocean waters at least 80 degrees.

Second, El Nino. It creates strong westerly winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere which can limit the number of developing tropical systems or make them fall apart altogether.

The last factor involves dust storms all the way across the ocean in the Sahara Desert. These storms create a drier environment which can prevent tropical systems from forming. They also reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the ocean, which keeps the water cooler.

Even after combining all the data, these predictions are still just educated guesses.

Whatever happens, WWAY will be ready to help you weather the storm.