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Quiet Tropics Mark Start of Peak Atlantic Hurricane Season

NOAA has deployed upgraded forecasting tools to improve early warnings ahead of a predicted surge in storms.

Overview

  • NOAA forecasts an above-average season with 13–19 named storms, including 6–10 hurricanes and 3–5 major hurricanes
  • As of early August, the Atlantic tropics remain unusually quiet with no development expected through the first week
  • Historical data show 86–90 percent of tropical activity occurs after August 1, peaking around September 10 and spanning mid-August to mid-October
  • Record-warm sea surface temperatures, low wind shear and a strong West African monsoon have created conditions that fuel rapid intensification in about one-third of storms
  • Officials from Texas to Long Island urge residents to finalize evacuation plans, secure flood insurance and stock emergency supplies