Hurricane season expected to be extremely active this year

AUSTIN, Texas - Experts with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center and Colorado State University recently released the updated outlooks for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Each organization is calling for the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season to be extremely active.

As of today, there have been nine named storms in the Atlantic basin. Two of these, Hanna and Isaias, have been hurricanes.

Colorado State University’s outlook forecasts:

24 named storms
12 hurricanes
5 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher)

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center forecasts:

19-25 named storms
7-11 hurricanes
3-6 major hurricanes

These numbers include the nine named storms that have already formed this season.

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A breakdown of the latest hurricane outlook

Chelsea Andrews is breaking down the hurricane forecast from Colorado State University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s latest hurricane outlook, which is forecasting a very active peak season.

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Between 1981 and 2010, the average numbers for Atlantic hurricane season are:

12.1 named storms
6.4 hurricanes
2.7 major hurricanes

Environmental elements that favor an “extremely active” hurricane season this year include warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, an active West African Monsoon season, low wind shear in the Atlantic Ocean and the possibility of an ENSO Neutral pattern or La Nina emerging in the tropical Pacific Ocean this fall.

The Atlantic basin has 21 names on the tropical cyclone list. If all 21 names are used, storms will begin getting names from the Greek alphabet.

Residents who could be impacted by tropical systems are always reminded that it just takes one storm to make it a very active season where they live. Preparedness is crucial.

Here in Central Texas, we may be removed from the worst impacts of a landfalling tropical storm or hurricane, but we can still see tornadoes, inland flooding, and wind damage.

The FOX 7 Austin Meteorologists will be tracking anything that develops in the tropics and provides updates on-air, online, and social media.

You can also stay updated on the forecast with the FOX 7 Austin WAPP.

Track your local forecast for the Austin area quickly with the free FOX 7 WAPP. The design gives you radar, hourly, and 7-day weather information just by scrolling. Our weather alerts will warn you early and help you stay safe during storms.