NOAA Predicts Abnormally Strong Atlantic Hurricane Season: The 7th Year in a Row

Experts warn that the Eastern United States should brace for more tropical storms this year. According to the latest forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season will be more active than usual for the sixth consecutive year (NOAA).

According to NOAA, the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1 and ends November 30, is expected to produce 14 to 21 named storms, or storms with winds of 39 mph (63 km/h) or higher; six to ten hurricanes with winds of 74 mph (119 km/h); and three to six major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph (179 km/h).

According to the National Hurricane Center, the first storm of the year will be called Alex, followed by Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, and Earl. Each year, only 21 names are given to storms, beginning with the letters A through W, before Greek letters are allocated instead.

For the third year in a row, the updated prediction indicates that all 21 storm names may be used; 21 storms formed in 2021, and a record-breaking 30 storms formed in 2020.

The current "La Niña" phenomenon, which has resulted in warmer waters in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, is largely to blame for the season's forecasted above-average temperatures.

La Niña is a Pacific Ocean climatic trend in which tropical eastern Pacific seas are cooler than average and trade winds are stronger than usual. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this might have an impact on weather throughout the world and lead to more catastrophic hurricane seasons.

On April 28, experts at the University of Arizona predicted that La Nia will evaporate, resulting in a slightly above-average hurricane season.

Thankfully, NOAA indicated on May 18 that the Central Pacific hurricane season, which begins on June 1, will be less active than typical. The Central Pacific hurricane zone is expected to have just two to four tropical cyclones, compared to an average of four to five.

According to the statement, the La Nia event is producing wind patterns that will assist prevent storms from emerging in this region.
Hurricane seasons have grown increasingly active as global sea-surface temperatures have risen as a result of climate change, even without the storm-inducing La Niña phenomenon. 

"We have to refocus to this new reality of dealing with this change to our environment and how it impacts us every day," Mayor Eric Adams said during a NOAA news conference on May 24 at the New York City Emergency Management Department.

Hurricane Ida, 2021's greatest hurricane, struck nine states and was visible from more than 1 million miles away, with maximum wind speeds of 150 mph (240 km/h).

Winds, rain, storm surges, and tornadoes produced an estimated $75 billion in damage by the time Ida was done, according to NOAA officials in April.

As a result of climate change, individual storms have grown more powerful. Hurricane wind speeds in Bermuda have more than quadrupled in power in the previous 66 years, according to a research published in the journal Environmental Research Letters in February 2021.

The Atlantic hurricane season of 2021 turned out to be much busier than expected. Only time will tell if NOAA's projections for this year are accurate, but experts say people should begin storm preparations now. 

"It's crucial to remember that it only takes one storm to damage your home, neighborhood and community," NOAA Administrator Richard Spinrad stated at the meeting.