NOAA still expects above-normal Atlantic hurricane season

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We like a prediction, so we’ll see how this one goes after ‚a relatively slow start to hurricane season, with no major storms developing in the Atlantic‘. NOAA’s ENSO blog says ‚La Niña suppresses hurricane activity in the central and eastern Pacific basins, and enhances it in the Atlantic basin‘, which influences their thinking. No doubt climate obsessives will be on the lookout for something to wail about.
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Atmospheric and oceanic conditions still favor an above-normal 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, according to NOAA’s annual mid-season update issued today by the Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. — Phys.org reporting.

„I urge everyone to remain vigilant as we enter the peak months of hurricane season,“ said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

„The experts at NOAA will continue to provide the science, data and services needed to help communities become hurricane resilient and climate-ready for the remainder of hurricane season and beyond.“

NOAA forecasters have slightly decreased the likelihood of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season to 60% (lowered from the outlook issued in May, which predicted a 65% chance). The likelihood of near-normal activity has risen to 30% and the chances remain at 10% for a below-normal season.

„We’re just getting into the peak months of August through October for hurricane development, and we anticipate that more storms are on the way,“ said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. „NOAA stands ready to deliver timely and accurate forecasts and warnings to help communities prepare in advance of approaching storms.“

NOAA’s update to the 2022 outlook—which covers the entire six-month hurricane season that ends on Nov. 30—calls for 14–20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or greater), of which 6–10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or greater). Of those, 3–5 could become major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph or greater). NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence.

So far, the season has seen three named storms and no hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin. An average hurricane season produces 14 named storms, of which seven become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.

This outlook is for overall seasonal activity, and is not a landfall forecast. Landfalls are largely governed by short-term weather patterns that are currently only predictable within about one week of a storm potentially reaching a coastline.

Full report here.

via Tallbloke’s Talkshop

August 7, 2022, by oldbrew