Weather Services International expects active 2011 Atlantic hurricane season

[News_Editor]

Weather Services International expects active 2011 Atlantic hurricane season

2010-12-23 08:56:26 GMT+7 (ICT)

ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS (BNO NEWS) -- Weather Services International (WSI) on Wednesday said it expects five major hurricanes to form during the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season.

During the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, which ended on November 30, a total of 19 named storms formed. Of those, twelve became hurricanes and five reached major hurricane status.

"We expect another very active season in 2011, with above-normal Atlantic ocean temperatures and favorable wind shear conditions," said WSI Chief Meteorologist Dr. Todd Crawford. "Typically, years after La Nina events are quite active, especially if the La Nina doesn't rapidly transition to an El Nino event. Most of the statistical and dynamical guidance suggests that the chance of this occurring is relatively low."

For 2011, WSI is predicting 17 named storms of which nine would become a hurricane and five of those would develop into a major hurricane.

Crawford also indicated that the Gulf Coast is under a 'significant threat for hurricane landfall during the 2011 season. ""Our hurricane landfall prediction model suggests increased chances of US landfall in 2011, with particularly enhanced probabilities in the western Gulf states," he said, adding that the forecast numbers are similar to those before the 2008 season when Hurricanes Dolly, Gustav, and Ike impacted Louisiana and Texas.

The WSI will release another updated on the 2011 tropical season on April 27, about a month before the start of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season.

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