2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Released

Tampa Bay area residents still reeling from recent tornado activity in the region probably aren’t thrilled to know that the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season is right around the corner. The experts at Colorado State University have issued their forecast for the upcoming season, which starts June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.

The good news is that forecasters anticipate average hurricane activity this year. That bad news is that average could still produce a total of 12 named storms, five hurricanes and two major hurricanes, according to Colorado State’s forecast, prepared by Dr. Philip J. Klotzbach “with special assistance” from Dr. William Gray, the school’s long-time hurricane expert.

“We anticipate that the 2016 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have approximately average activity,” the school's forecast, released Thursday, states. The probabilities set for “at least one major (Category 3-4-5) hurricane landfall” are as follows:

• Entire U.S. coastline – 50 percent (the average for the last century is 52 percent)
• U.S. East Coast including the Florida peninsula – 30 percent (average for the last century is 31 percent)
• Gulf Coast from Florida’s Panhandle to Brownsville – 29 percent (average for the last century is 30 percent)

While Colorado State says the hurricane season that lies ahead is likely to be “average,” forecasters still warn that precautions should be made in advance of June 1.

“Coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active seasons for them, and they need to prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted.”

See Also:

• Tampa Bay ‘Ripe For Disaster,’ Hurricane Experts Say

The Tampa Bay area hasn’t seen a major storm make landfall in more than 90 years, but local officials warn that could change. As 2012’s Tropical Storm Debby showed, even “weak” storms can take their toll on the region. A major storm, experts have said, could wreak havoc on the Tampa Bay area.

Residents readying for the season can get tips and advice on the federal government’s Ready.gov website.

To keep up with potential storm activity, bookmark the National Hurricane Center’s website. For local weather and severe weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service online.

Time lapse image of Hurricane Andrew courtesy of the NASA