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Hurricane Outlook Downgraded To 'Below Average'

National Hurricane Center
/
NOAA
2017 was a busy year for hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and one of the costliest. Researchers predict below-average storm activity in 2018.

One group of forecasters has decreased its 2018 hurricane season forecast from above-average to below-average.

There are typically about 12 named storms in the Atlantic during hurricane season.

 

Earlier this year, all the major forecasts predicted there would be more than that — about 14. But researchers at Colorado State University now expect storm activity in the Gulf to be slightly below-average. They're predicting 11 named storms.

The change in forecast is due to observed conditions in the Gulf.

Several ingredients that go into a hurricane season forecast — like whether it's an El Niño year, and the surface temperature of the ocean water. Colorado State forecaster Phil Klotzbach says the Atlantic is a lot colder than normal for this time of year.

 

"Which is good news," he says, "because colder water means less fuel for hurricanes."

 

But he says that doesn't necessarily mean storms will be weaker when they happen.

 

"Yeah I mean you need to be prepared the same for every hurricane season, regardless," he says.

 

Klotzbach says 1965 was technically a below-average season, but it still produced Hurricane Betsy, which caused a lot of damage in Louisiana.

 

Support for the Coastal Desk comes from the Walton Family Foundation, the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the Foundation for Louisiana, and local listeners.

As Coastal Reporter, Travis Lux covers flood protection, coastal restoration, infrastructure, the energy and seafood industries, and the environment. In this role he's reported on everything from pipeline protests in the Atchafalaya swamp, to how shrimpers cope with low prices. He had a big hand in producing the series, New Orleans: Ready Or Not?, which examined how prepared New Orleans is for a future with more extreme weather. In 2017, Travis co-produced two episodes of TriPod: New Orleans at 300 examining New Orleans' historic efforts at flood protection. One episode, NOLA vs Nature: The Other Biggest Flood in New Orleans History, was recognized with awards from the Public Radio News Directors and the New Orleans Press Club. His stories often find a wider audience on national programs, too, like NPR's Morning Edition, WBUR's Here and Now, and WHYY's The Pulse.

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