By: Jessica Shorten
CONROE, TX – June 1st marks the beginning of Hurricane Season, and while the tropics are quiet today, NOAA predictions forecast another above-average season.
This year’s storm season is not expected to reach the historic level of activity as 2020, which saw 30 named storms. Even names off the Greek alphabet, the back-up name list for when storms surpass the 21 names selected by NOAA, had to be retired due to the damage the storms caused last year.
The Gulf of Mexico has already seen its first named storm with Tropical Storm Ana on May 22, which dissipated after crossing Florida. Meaning the first named storm of the 2021 Hurricane Season will be Bill.
According to NOAA, there will be 13-20 named storms this year, with 6-10 becoming hurricanes and 3-5 becoming major hurricanes between now and November 30, 2021.
“Now is the time for communities along the coastline as well as inland to get prepared for the dangers that hurricanes can bring,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The experts at NOAA are poised to deliver life-saving early warnings and forecasts to communities, which will also help minimize the economic impacts of storms.”
In the event this year’s hurricane season is as active as 2020, a new supplemental list of names has been created in place of the Greek alphabet.
The Gulf of Mexico is expected to be increasingly warm this year, a perfect scenario for strong hurricane development. Which is why residents along the Gulf Coast and inland are asked to go over their hurricane preparedness checklist now, make sure you have a plan and all the supplies necessary to take care of yourself and your family.