METEOROLOGISTS at AccuWeather have predicted that the 2021 hurricane season is expected to be an above-normal season for tropical storm activity in the Atlantic, but not see off-the-charts activity like last season. The 2020 hurricane season produced a record-breaking 30 named storms. Thirteen were hurricanes, and six developed into major hurricanes.
According to a team of tropical weather experts at AccuWeather, led by veteran meteorologist Dan Kottlowski, they predict 16 to 20 named storms for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season.
From this number, seven to 10 are projected to reach hurricane strength, and about three to five are predicted to become major hurricanes.
“Current indications are this will be another above-normal season,” said Kottlowski, who is in his 45th year of issuing forecasts for AccuWeather. “This can translate into high impacts on the United States.” It was noted that water temperatures in the Atlantic are already above normal. The report says waters in much of the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic are also warmer than normal, or around normal. As of March 29, water temperatures off Key West, Florida, were around 81.5 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about five degrees above normal, but not higher than temperatures recorded in 2020, which was 87.8 degrees around the same date. The hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30; however, the National Hurricane Center has indicated that it will begin issuing tropical weather outlooks from May 15. (LoopNews)