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13News Now Hurricane Guide 2023

Your resource for preparing ahead of the storm.

13News Now Staff

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Published: 11:48 AM EDT June 23, 2020
Updated: 6:55 PM EDT August 29, 2023

Hurricane season begins on June 1, so now is a good time to make sure you're prepared for any possible tropical system if you haven't already done so, and to have a plan in place to keep you and your family safe!

Meteorologists say a possible "El Nino" could be in play for this summer and fall.

El Nino conditions are characterized by warmer than average ocean water in the tropical east Pacific, off the west coast of Mexico. This has global impacts on the weather because El Nino also contributes to below-average sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic combined with elevated levels of wind shear. 

Both conditions tend to hamper tropical development in the Atlantic Ocean.

DOWNLOAD: 13News Now Hurricane Guide (pdf)

As a result, the well-respected team at Colorado State University’s Tropical Weather and Climate Research Division is predicting a slightly below-average season because of an El Nino's expected formation around July: 13 named storms (tropical storm or stronger) with six of them reaching hurricane status. Of those six, two are forecast to become major hurricanes -- storms with wind speeds of 111 mph or higher.

The meteorologists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued its seasonal hurricane forecast on May 25. The federal agency announced its forecast of 12 to 17 named storms, five to nine becoming hurricanes and between one and four powering into major hurricanes with winds greater than 110 mph.

Credit: WTLV
A near-normal Atlantic hurricane season is expected with a range of 12 to 17 named storms forecast.

An "average" Atlantic hurricane season has 14 tropical storms (sustained winds of 39 – 73 mph), of which seven become hurricanes (sustained winds of at least 74 mph) with three major hurricanes.

Whether or not we see an active hurricane season, now is the time to prepare, get the supplies you need, and make sure your family knows exactly what to do in case an evacuation order is issued.


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