20 named storms predicted for 2020 Hurricane season
Published 1:01 pm Wednesday, July 8, 2020
Updated forecasts for the Atlantic hurricane season predicts an additional 15 named storms, including 9 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.
Researchers from Colorado State University released its updated forecast Tuesday maintaining earlier predictions for an above-average hurricane season for 2020.
“Sea surface temperatures averaged across most of the tropical Atlantic and subtropical Atlantic are somewhat above normal,” the July 7 report states. “We anticipate an above-normal probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean.”
Between 1981 and 2010, the Atlantic saw an average of 12.1 tropical storms and an average of 6.4 hurricanes.
In 2018, 18 tropical storms formed in the Atlantic. Six of the storms grew into hurricanes — 3 of them major hurricanes.
This year researchers predict 20 storms and 9 hurricanes for the region, which has already seen 5 named tropical systems.
The tropics have been relatively quiet for the past few weeks.
“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 states. “They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted.”
Hurricane season runs until November 30, and the next name on the list is Fay.