In just released forecasts, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an above-normal Atlantic Hurricane season and a near or below-normal Central Pacific Hurricane season for this year. NOAA’s Atlantic Hurricane season forecast predicts there will 13-19 named storms, of which 6-10 will be hurricanes and 3-6 will be major hurricanes. An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which 6 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes. The Central Pacific Hurricane season forecast anticipates 2-6 tropical cyclones. A normabl season has 4-5 tropical cyclones. Both outlooks are meant as general guides for overall seasonal hurricane activity and are not intended as landfall forecasts. Regardless of the anticipated activity, NOAA emphasizes that hurricane preparedness is critically important every year. It also encourages adapting hurricane preparedness plans and actions with COVID-19 in mind, such as by referring to CDC and FEMA guidance.

The Colorado State University’s (CSU’s) Tropical Meteorology Project forecast for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season also predicts above-normal activity for this year. It predicts there will be 16 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. Unlike the NOAA forecasts, this report predicts the likelihood of landfall, submitting that there is a 69 percent chance of a major hurricane making landfall somewhere on the entire U.S. coastline (including the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico). WaterISAC reported on this forecast in its April 7 Security and Resilience Update.