Each year forecasters start making their bets for the hurricane season early. The earliest forecasts come out in March-April and are generally updated every 4-8 weeks.
We’re still months away from the peak of hurricane season (September 10th), but we have already seen 3 named storms. Seasonal forecasts are calling for an average of 17 (39% higher than average) named storms, of which, 8.4 (+31%) are hurricanes of which 4 (+49%) are major hurricanes. Remember, forecasting skill this far out is generally low, and the relationship between Atlantic hurricane activity and US Hurricane loss is weak, but we can listen to the agreement among forecasters (strong) and the direction of forecasts (high).
*the ECMWF and InsMet forecasts do not distinguish major / non – major strength hurricanes
All data from: https://seasonalhurricanepredictions.bsc.es/
What do forecasters base their information on this far out? It depends on the type of forecast, but the leading predictors are based on the ENSO forecast for peak hurricane season and sea surface temperatures (SSTs):
Seasonal forecast methods
- Seasonal hurricane forecasts are typically limited to “activity” and this has limited bearing on landfall frequency
- Dynamic forecasts
- Are (generally) based on coupled ocean atmospheric models. The euro model is one such example. They take an ensemble approach and then go back and systematically identify and track “warm core” storms assumed to be tropical cyclones to generate a season activity forecast
- Statistical
- Relating observed measures to future
- Dynamic / Statistical hybrid
- Similar to statistical, but using dynamic model outputs as predictors (such as July / August winds and surface temps)
- Analog seasons
- Pick a handful of seasons with similarities to current conditions and expected future conditions
- Machine Learning
The set up for this year is pointing toward above average activity because there is a low chance of El Nino forming during the peak of hurricane season (20% or less). El Nino inhibits hurricane activity, so it’s absence will allow hurricanes to form more readily.
Additionally, we are seeing warm SSTs in the Atlantic and this warmth is expected to persist throughout the season. SSTs are the number one ingredient necessary for hurricane formation.
