Experts are predicting a higher-than-average number of Atlantic storms this hurricane season, according to forecasts the latest forecast coming out of the Colorado State University.
They are already predicting that we could have as many as nineteen named storms, of which nine are likely to become hurricanes for the upcoming 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, according to early predictions that were released Thursday, April 7, 2022.
This year the forecasts indicate that the La Nina weather pattern as well as warmer than normal ocean temperatures could see a higher number of storms across the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
The past two hurricane seasons have produced an above-average number of storms, there were 21 named storms in 2021 and 30 in 2020. Last season there were seven (7) hurricanes and of which, four (4) were major hurricanes. This year the forecast indicates that of the nine (9) predicted hurricanes, four (4) are likely to become major hurricanes, that this is category 3 or higher, with sustained winds of at least 111 mph.
This year the tropical Atlantic is quite a bit warmer than it has been in the past few years at this time. Sea surface temperatures are one of the ingredients needed to fuel hurricanes.
The experts informed us that if we get more than 21 storms this season, a supplemental list for any additional storms that develop will be used. The first storm that forms in the Atlantic this year will be named Alex.