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Hurricane Season Starts Today

The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season has officially begun, and it has a history of starting earlier than scheduled.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially begins today (June 1st) and will run through the end of November. While a repeat of 2020’s record season is not expected, it is projected to be above average. The one noticeable change about the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season, this that the WMO has decided to do away with the Greek Alphabet, and has instead provided the following alternate names in the even we go through the entire list again. 

  • Adria
  • Braylen
  • Caridad
  • Deshawn
  • Emery
  • Foster
  • Gemma
  • Heath
  • Isla
  • Jacobus
  • Kenzie
  • Lucio
  • Makayla
  • Nolan
  • Orlanda
  • Pax
  • Ronin
  • Sophie
  • Tayshaun
  • Viviana
  • Will

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Credit: Climate Central, WZDX Weather
Since 1971 named storms have developed earlier.

Experts at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) are considering advancing the start date to May 15 for future seasons.

While the 1950s had several preseason storms, this year marks the seventh consecutive year with a named tropical storm developing before June 1.  

Remember we've already seen Tropical Storm Ana in the Atlantic Ocean. This was a fish storm and had no role on sensible weather in the United States. 

While this recent trend is important and consistent with what we know about how warm water fuels tropical storms, it is difficult to confidently pull a trend from the data. A big challenge is that the tools which make hurricane forecasts better, like more consistent aircraft reconnaissance and geostationary satellites, also means that we now see storms that we might have missed in the past.

Climate Facts Relating To Hurricane Season. 

Credit: Climate Central, WZDX
Sea surface temperatures have been on the rise.

Studies suggest  that warmer sea surface temperatures may enable hurricanes to strengthen more quickly. The 2020 hurricane season included 10 rapidly intensifying storms (meaning their maximum wind speed increased at least 35 mph within 24 hours).  

   

These warmer sea surface temperatures can also lead to storms that come with more rain and are stronger in general.

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