2021 Atlantic hurricane season predicted to be 'above average,' reports say
ORLANDO, Fla. - Hurricane season is upon us and it appears it will be a busy one, forecasters say.
According to early predictions from both AccuWeather and Colorado State University, the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season will be above average.
Experts with AccuWeather expect the season to result in 16-20 named storms, including seven to 10 hurricanes. Of the storms projected to reach hurricane strength, three to five are predicted to become major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher storms).
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"AccuWeather’s forecast, when compared to that 30-year average, indicates that 2021 is expected to be an above-normal season for tropical activity in the Atlantic," the report stated. "A normal season is considered to have 14 storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. Last year, 13 hurricanes formed, and six of those reached the major hurricane threshold."
Hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through November 30.
Colorado State University also said that they anticipate that the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season will have above-normal activity, citing the likely absence of El Niño as a primary factor.
The university published its extended forecast last month, anticipating an above-average possibility for major hurricanes to make landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean. Researchers there predict 17 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season.
"It takes only one storm near you to make this an active season," said Michael Bell, associate professor in the CSU Department of Atmospheric Science.
RELATED: WMO: Greek alphabet will no longer be used if hurricane names run out
For more information on CSU’s 2021 hurricane season predictions, visit the CSU Tropical Weather and Climate Research website.
The National Hurricane Center has released the list of names you can expect to hear from our FOX 35 meteorologists this year:
- Ana
- Bill
- Claudette
- Danny
- Elsa
- Fred
- Grace
- Henri
- Ida
- Julian
- Kate
- Larry
- Mindy
- Nicholas
- Odette
- Peter
- Rose
- Sam
- Teresa
- Victor
- Wanda
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said that the Greek alphabet will no longer be used to name tropical cyclones.
Instead, they have a supplemental list that will be used if the regular names are exhausted. Last year, the Atlantic hurricane season put up a record 30 named storms --- requiring the use of the auxiliary Greek alphabet for the second time ever.
Make sure you have the FOX 35 Weather App downloaded and ready to receive daily forecasts and to be the first to know when severe weather is coming to your area.