The Atlantic is record-warm right now. What does that mean for hurricane season?
Published in Weather News
“It didn’t matter that it was an active year as far as being in the U.S. goes because the steering currents were favorable,” he said. “So an active year doesn’t necessarily mean a bad year if the steering currents are your friend.”
Last year the globe was experiencing an El Niño during the hurricane season, which typically stymies activity. This year, El Niño’s counterpart, La Niña, could fall into place just as the season begins.
Earlier in February, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center said the globe is under a “La Niña watch.” By the time June rolls around, La Niña has a 55% chance of falling into place. By peak hurricane season, that number jumps to a 75% chance.
La Niña typically fuels hurricane activity because it removes conditions that quell storm formation, like wind shear.
Masters said a mid-season switch to this weather pattern could steer hurricanes toward the U.S.
“If that’s the case, we’re less likely to have steering currents be favorable and have storms steered out into the open ocean,” he said.
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