The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially starts on Monday, June 1st, and unfortunately, it may be a doozy. Forecasters with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, are forecasting an above-normal season. And, that could spell serious trouble for hurricane preparedness, response, and recovery amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hurricane outlook predicts a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and only a 10% chance of a below-normal season.
Further, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center is forecasting a likely range of 13 to 19 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence. An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which 6 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes. That means NOAA’s forecast represents a significant uptick in the biggest threats.
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