Near-Normal 2019 Florida Hurricane Season Outlook

NOAA's Climate Prediction Center issues "near-normal" prediction for 2019 Florida hurricane season.

On May 23rd, 2019 the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released their predictions for the 2019 Florida hurricane season. 

CPC forecasts the 2019 Florida hurricane season as follows:

• A forty percent [40%] chance of a near-normal season
• A thirty percent [30%] chance of an above-normal season 
• A thirty-percent [30%] chance of a below-normal season
• Nine to fifteen [9-15] named storms (winds of thirty-nine [39] mph or greater)
• Four to eight [4-8] hurricanes (winds of seventy-four [74] mph or greater)
• Two to four [2-4] major hurricanes (winds of one-hundred-eleven [111] mph or greater)

(For reference, an average hurricane season produces twelve [12] named storms, six [6] hurricanes, and three [3] major hurricanes.)

NOAA also notes this outlook is based on three competing climate factors:

• The ongoing El Nino is expected to persist and suppress hurricane season intensity
• Warmer-than-average sea-surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea is expected to increase hurricane season intensity
• Enhanced west African monsoon is expected to increase hurricane season intensity

Last year, Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida pan-handle as a quick-developing Category Five [5] storm that left a wake of destruction in its path. This storm, in addition to Hurricane Florence, resulted in the loss of 100 lives and close to fifty-billion-dollars [$50,000,000,000] in damage.

Now is the time to get prepared:

• Determine your vulnerability to hurricane storm surge, inland flooding, and strong winds
• Develop an evacuation plan and ensure your disaster supply kit is ready
• Acquire enough supplies to last several days
• Document and share your evacuation plan with friends and family
• Communicate with your neighbors about their plans as well
• Call Tint Heaven now to schedule your no cost Comfort Survey. 

Sources: NOAA predicts near-normal 2019 Atlantic hurricane season; 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook; Tropical Cyclone Climatology.