Noaa: Active 2013 Hurricane Season Looms

June 1, marks the Official start of hurricane season, although last year’s 2012 season, had two named storms before that official mark. For three straight hurricane seasons the Atlantic has produced at least 19 named storms. Last season had the seventh highest hurricane season with 10, and one of the most destructive storms in US history, Super storm sandy.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), issues their latest 2013 Atlantic hurricane season outlook and are expecting another active season. NOAAs forecast is expecting 13-20 named storms, 7-11 of those are expected to turn into hurricanes 3-6 of which major hurricanes of 3 of higher. Their forecast numbers are higher than the long-term average from 1950-2012.

NOAA hurricane expert Dr. Gerry Bell thinks conditions are in place for a more active season for 2013.  "These conditions include weaker wind shear, warmer Atlantic waters and conducive wind patterns from Africa," said Dr. Bell. El Nino is one factor that is not expected to have an effect on Atlantic tropical Cyclones, as an El Nino is not expected to develop in time for the 2013 Atlantic season. Without El Nino this season will likely continue with another active Tropical cyclone presents. Without the strong wind shear that develops in the Atlantic Bassen during El Nino years, tropical cyclones are able to develop and form with little resistance.

So far this season has not developed anything worth talking about, but that doesn’t mean it will stay that way. Hurricanes are the planets way of cooling its self-off, and regardless whether you think it’s from “natural” or “unnatural” cycles, the climate is heating up. This will only make extreme weather intensify. With 40% of the world’s population living within 100km of the coast, it will take smaller storms to cause a catastrophic damage.

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