‘Slightly below-average’ hurricane season expected, CSU forecasters say

This image provided by NOAA shows Hurricane Ida taken at 12:02 a.m. EST Sunday Nov. 11, 2009....
This image provided by NOAA shows Hurricane Ida taken at 12:02 a.m. EST Sunday Nov. 11, 2009. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Ida's winds had picked up to 75 mph (120 kph), making it a Category 1 storm. Ida plowed into Nicaragua's Atlantic coast on Thursday as a Category 1 hurricane, damaging 500 homes along with bridges, power lines, roads and public buildings. The hurricane was on a path that would take it through the middle of the Yucatan Channel that separates Mexico and Cuba on Sunday. Forecasters predict Ida will enter the Gulf of Mexico, eventually weaken again to tropical storm strength and possibly brush the U.S. Gulf Coast next week. (AP Photo/NOAA)(AP)
Published: Apr. 13, 2023 at 11:40 AM EDT
Email This Link
Share on Pinterest
Share on LinkedIn

We could be in for a “slightly below-average” hurricane season, forecasters from Colorado State University announced Thursday.

The CSU forecast, which is released annually and is considered one of the top indicators of the Atlantic hurricane season, is predicting a total of 13 tropical storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or greater.

In an average season, CSU forecasters said there are typically 14 tropical storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. Those figures are based on weather data between 1991 and 2020.

Meteorologists said an elevated El Niño pattern — meaning warmer-than-average Pacific Ocean water — is expected to hinder some Atlantic storms from developing into tropical systems.

The CSU forecast was released just one day after severe storms hammered South Florida on Wednesday, drenching Fort Lauderdale with more than 25 inches of rain and closing Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to flight activity until at least 5 a.m. Friday.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.

Scripps Only Content 2023