Hurricane Season 2015: Time to Prepare is Now

The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially arrives Monday with forecasters already anticipating a below-normal number of storms. Forecasters, however, say “that’s no reason to believe coastal areas will have it easy.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration anticipates the 2015 season, which runs through Nov. 30, will witness the formation of six to 11 named storms. They’ve set the likelihood for that many storms at 70 percent.

Storms are named when they have winds of 39 mph or higher. Of those six to 11 storms, forecasters anticipate three to six could become full-blown hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher. Up to two major hurricanes – with winds of 111 mph or higher – could form.

“A below-normal season doesn’t mean we’re off the hook,” NOAA administrator Kathryn Sullivan was quoted in a media release as saying. “As we’ve seen before, below-normal seasons can still produce catastrophic impacts to communities.”

Sullivan was referencing the 1992 season that only saw seven named storms in total. The first storm that year was Andrew, the monster Category 5 storm that wreaked havoc on South Florida.

“The main factor expected to suppress the hurricane season this year is El Niño, which is already affecting wind and pressure patterns, and is forecast to last through the hurricane season,” Dr. Gerry Bell, the lead hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

The recently released forecast for the upcoming season includes Tropical Storm Ana that developed pre-season.

What Bay Area Residents Need to Know

While the Tampa Bay area hasn’t seen a major storm make landfall in decades, there are plenty of reasons to prepare, local officials warn. As 2012’s Tropical Storm Debby showed, even “weak” storms can take their toll on the region.

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.

Image courtesy of NOAA

See Also:

• Tropical Storm Debby’s Reminder to be Prepared
• Florida Waterspouts: What You Need to Know

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