The 2019 hurricane season is expected to bring between nine and 15 named storms, with four to eight becoming hurricanes and two to four reaching major hurricane status.
Meteorologist Bob Robichaud of the Canadian Hurricane Centre says these numbers are similar to last year.
“We are looking at a season that is close to if not a little bit below what we had last year in terms of hurricane activity,” Robichaud said.
He described various factors they examine including water temperature because these storms feed on the warm water.
“Water temperatures are warmer than average in the western part of the tropical Atlantic while they are a little bit cooler in the eastern part of the tropical Atlantic,” Robichaud said.
Robichaud expects as we move into summer, the water will warm up in the eastern part of the Atlantic resulting in overall warmer temps than the long-term average.
He said they are now in a weak El Nino situation meaning they expect more wind shear than average in the tropical Atlantic this year which could keep the numbers down but the warmer water would suggest higher activity than average.
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