2009 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON OUTLOOK

Written by: Brian Neudorff

Today is the start of the Atlantic hurricane season. The season got an early start with the development of tropical depression one last week. This had many people asking, with the season getting an early start does this mean it will be a busy tropical season? To answer that question I thought I would post a few of the long range forecasts for this years hurricane season.

• NOAA forecasters say a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season is most likely this year. Global weather patterns are imposing a greater uncertainty in the 2009 hurricane season outlook than in recent years. Forecasters say there is a 70 percent chance of having nine to 14 named storms, of which four to seven could become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5). Click for full forecast details
• William Gray and Phil Klotzbach at Colorado State University expecting an average 2009 Atlantic Hurricane season. 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes with with 2 being major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5) Click for full forecast details
• AccuWeather.com is predicting 10 named storms for the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season, 6 of which will be hurricanes and with two of them rated category 3 or stronger. Click for full forecast details

Keep in mind these are just an outlook, many of these forecasts differ on what areas will be most effected. If you live along any of the Atlantic or Gulf coasts you should be prepared. Prepare like this year will be the year that a hurricane could hit where you live.