The upcoming hurricane season is expected to be unusual due to two conflicting factors: El Nino, which typically suppresses hurricane activity in the Atlantic, and warmer-than-usual waters in the Atlantic Ocean, which can fuel stronger storms. Despite El Nino's presence, the Atlantic's warm waters may lead to more frequent and intense storms. The National Hurricane Center's official forecast predicts 12-17 named storms, with 5-9 becoming hurricanes, and 1-4 becoming major hurricanes. However, it's essential to remain prepared, as it only takes one major storm to cause significant damage.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. El Nino is ramping up in the Pacific.
2. The waters in the Atlantic Ocean are getting hotter than usual.
3. El Nino can lead to a giant heat dome that forces the jet stream to bulge northward.
4. The jet stream can then dip down into the Atlantic Basin, bringing strong winds and cold air into the tropics.
5. Wind shear is a hurricane's "Kryptonite" and can cause a hurricane to get "ripped to shreds".
6. El Nino is typically not supportive of hurricane activity in the tropical Atlantic.
7. Warm sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic can lead to more frequent and stronger storms.
8. Spring sea surface temperature anomalies in the Gulf of Mexico and Eastern Atlantic are quite a bit warmer than usual.
9. Atlantic Basin water temperatures in the spring correlate strongly to a season's activity.
10. The 2020 hurricane season was one of the most active seasons ever, with a dozen named storms making landfall in the US.
11. Hurricane Laura made landfall in Louisiana in 2020, causing catastrophic damage.
12. At one point in 2020, there were seven tropical systems happening at the same time.
13. Warm sea surface temperatures are the lifeline for strong hurricanes.
14. The warmer the sea surface temperature, the better it is for hurricanes.
15. The African Monsoon is expected to be more active than normal this year, leading to more African easterly waves that can turn into tropical systems in the Atlantic.
16. The National Hurricane Center has published its official hurricane outlook for 2023.
17. The forecast is for 12-17 storms to form in the Atlantic, with 5-9 of them becoming hurricanes.
18. The official forecast for major hurricanes this year is for 1-4 major hurricanes.
19. Up to half of the expected hurricanes could become major hurricanes due to the warm sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic.