WeatherCoats | The 2011 Hurricane Season Commences!

Hurricane Igor 2010

It's June 1st ladies and gentlemen!  Not only does the first day for June mark the Meteorological first day of Summer, but it also marks the official starts of the 2011 Hurricane Season.  Each year, the Climate Prediction Center of the National Weather Service issues an outlook for the hurricane season.  This year, the Climate Prediction Center is forecasting for an above average hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin, forecasting for a 70% chance for 12-18 named storms (hurricanes and tropical storms), 6-10 hurricanes total, and 3-6 of them becoming major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher).  This above average season is due to 

1. A continual era of high hurricane activity (since 1995, atmospheric and oceanic conditions have just become better for hurricanes to form),
2. Warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic (2 degrees above average), and
3. A La Nina in the Pacific, which results in less wind shear to distort a hurricane.

Dr. Jane Lubchenco says that "The United States was fortunate last year.  Winds steered most of the season's tropical storms and all hurricanes away from our coastlines.  However we can't count on luck to get us through this season.  We need to be prepared, especially with this above-normal outlook."

To prepare yourself for the 2011 Hurricane Season, go to the NWS Hurricane Preparedness Website where you will find information about the dangers of hurricanes, how to prepare for a hurricane, and other life-saving tips provided by the National Weather Service.

In addition, you can check out the NEW Hurricane Center from WeatherCoats where you can see up-to-date Tropical Outlooks from the National Hurricane Center and live satellite images of the Atlantic Basin.  As tropical systems begin to develop, more products will be added to the WeatherCoats Hurricane Center as they become available. 

To view to the full 2011 Hurricane Season Outlook, click here.