NOAA Expects Below-normal Central Pacific Hurricane Season

NOAA’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center today announced that climate conditions point to a below-normal season in the Central Pacific Basin this year.

For 2013, the outlook calls for a 70 percent chance of a below-normal season, a 25 percent chance of a near-normal season, and a 5 percent chance of an above-normal season. We expect 1 to 3 tropical cyclones to affect the central Pacific this season. An average season has 4 to 5 tropical cyclones, which include tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes.

NOAA issued its central Pacific hurricane outlook at a news conference in Honolulu, and urged Hawaii residents to be fully prepared before the hurricane season, which begins June 1 and runs until Nov. 30.

“I encourage the public to become weather-ready by signing up for weather alerts, developing a family emergency plan, and building an emergency kit before hurricane season begins,” said Ray Tanabe, director of NOAA’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center. “Just because the season is predicted to be 'below normal' does not mean that a single storm cannot have significant impacts.” 

Be Prepared

For those of you that were Boy Scouts, you are very familiar with the slogan "Be Prepared".    When it comes to seasonal weather, like the hurricane season,  nothing could be more important than following that advice.   As we've seen this week in other parts of the country, storms can develop quickly with or without warning and knowing what to do can mean the difference between life and death.

Next week is National Hurricane Preparedness Week and we will cover topics that will help you prepare for the upcoming season.   Obviously those living in regions where hurricanes occur on a regular basis should pay close attention but in this day and age where people travel across the country and globe, you can find yourself in an area that is experiencing severe weather, like a tropical storm, and knowing what to do will be very important.

Monitor our Hurricane Zone Page 

Throughout Hurricane Season

Not the storm you are looking for?  Click Image or Here

NHC ACTIVE STORMS (CLICK HERE)

Real-Time Cruise Ship Tracking

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HURRICANES (CLICK HERE)