GET READY: 2019 Hurricane Season Expected to Be Near or Slightly Below Average Researchers Say

By The Weather Channel // April 8, 2019

13 named storms, five predicted to strengthen into hurricanes, two becoming Category 3 or higher

The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season may see fewer storms and hurricanes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be less dangerous, according to a newly released outlook from the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project.

(WEATHER CHANNEL) – The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season may see fewer storms and hurricanes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be less dangerous, according to a newly released outlook from the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project.

The group led by Dr. Phil Klotzbach calls for a total of 13 named storms, five hurricanes, and two major hurricanes.

This is near the 30-year average of 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. A major hurricane is one that is Category 3 or stronger on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Though the official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November, occasionally we can see storms develop outside those months, as was the case in the previous two seasons with May 2018’s Tropical Storm Alberto and April 2017’s Tropical Storm Arlene.

Seasonal #hurricane forecast from @ColoradoStateU predicts slightly below-average season: 13 named storms, 5 hurricanes & 2 major (Cat 3+, >=111 mph) hurricanes. Primary reason for slightly below-avg forecast is anticipated continuation of weak #ElNino. https://t.co/uxucIf9qQB pic.twitter.com/o0pWt1GUBh

— Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) April 4, 2019