Forecasters agree: 2007 Atlantic hurricane season to be busy one
Weather forecasters agree that the 2007 hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, with peak activity in August through October, should be a busy one.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center says there is a 75 percent chance that the Atlantic hurricane season will be above normal this year. NOAA scientists predict seven to 10 storms becoming hurricanes, of which three to five could become major Category 3 strength or higher, according to retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce and NOAA administrator.
An average Atlantic hurricane season brings 11 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes, including two major hurricanes.
Last year, seasonal hurricane predictions proved to be too high when an unexpected El Nino rapidly developed and curtailed Atlantic storm activity.
“There is some uncertainty this year as to whether or not La Nina will form, and if it does how strong it will be,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. If La Nina develops, storm activity will likely be in the upper end of the predicted range, he added.
A team of researchers at North Carolina State University projects eight to nine hurricanes, of which two or three will make landfall on the East Coast, while one or two will strike the Gulf Coast. “Everything shows that it’s going to be a much busier year than last year,” said Len Pietrafesa, a professor at N.C. State.
Colorado State University’s William Gray had estimated last season would produce nine hurricanes, but he later revised his projections downward. This year, Gray and his fellow researcher Philip J. Klotzbac, have predicted at least nine hurricanes, five of them major. They project a 74 percent probability that at least one major (Category 3, 4 or 5) hurricane will make landfall along the U.S. coast.
The National Hurricane Center was to issue its forecast for the 2007 season in late May.
Topics Catastrophe Hurricane
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Ryan Specialty Announces Succession Plan: Pat Ryan to Exec Chair, Turner to Be CEO 
US P/C Insurers Post Best Q1 Underwriting Result In 17 Years 
Microsoft Tells Texas Agencies They Were Exposed in Russian Hack 
Changes at American Coastal Insurance After Florida OIR Action on ‘No-Fly List’ From This Issue
