After an incredibly active and damaging 2017 tropical season, the outlook is in for this year from NOAA.
NOAA issued their seasonal forecast Thursday morning from Lakeland, Florida, calling for an average season. NOAA anticipates 10-16 named systems will form this season, with 5-9 of those becoming hurricanes, and of those, 3 becoming major hurricanes.
JUST IN: Atlantic #HurricaneSeason Outlook 2018 — 70% likelihood of 10-16 named storms of which 5-9 could become hurricanes, including 1-4 major #hurricanes https://t.co/yXpag4nQ2R pic.twitter.com/lgzoVaxDK4
— NOAA (@NOAA) May 24, 2018
NOAA stresses that these forecasts do not account for the strength of systems, nor the impacts they may pose to land.
The possibility of a weak El Niño developing, along with near-average sea-surface temperatures across the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, are two of the factors driving this outlook.
NOAA also released their Pacific season outlook Wednesday, you can read more here.
WeatherNation spoke with the lead seasonal forecaster, Dr. Gerry Bell, Thursday afternoon to discuss the outlook.
Right on cue, as hurricane season officially begins next week, June 1, we are already monitoring a tropical disturbance in the Gulf Of Mexico. Click here to learn more.
Also, join us for Hurricane Prep Week all next week on WeatherNation.
