HALIFAX, N.S. - May 24, 2013 - Environment Canada's Canadian Hurricane Centre (CHC) is encouraging Canadians to prepare for the 2013 hurricane season. The season officially starts on June 1st. The United States' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) outlook, released earlier today, predicts a 70 percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms, of which 7 to 11 could become hurricanes, including 3 to 6 major hurricanes. These ranges are well above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.
"NOAA is predicting that this year will see an active or very active season in terms of hurricane activity in the North Atlantic Ocean, meaning that we expect to see levels of tropical storm activity in the overall Atlantic Ocean that are similar to what we've seen in recent years," says Chris Fogarty, Program Supervisor for the Canadian Hurricane Centre. "We're also reminding Canadians that there is very little correlation between the number of storms that form in the North Atlantic and the number that make their way into Canadian waters, and taking the opportunity to discuss safety measures ahead of potential storms."
Due to the combination of an unusually warm tropical Atlantic and relatively low likelihood of El Niño, an active hurricane season is predicted, continuing a 15-year period of high hurricane activity. Regardless of the overall number of storms forecast for the entire Atlantic Basin, the CHC responds to four or five tropical cyclone events each year, with one or two of those affecting Canadian soil, and another two or three threatening our offshore waters.
"It only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it a bad season. That's why we're reminding Canadians that, no matter the number of storms predicted for the Atlantic, it's time to start preparing for hurricane season," cautions Fogarty.
Environment Canada encourages Canadians to prepare for the hurricane season by assembling emergency kits, readying their homes and their property, and by following Environment Canada's hurricane bulletins on the Internet at www.weather.gc.ca, on Weatheradio, or through local media. More information on preparing for hurricanes can also be found at www.getprepared.ca/.
Hurricane season officially runs from June through November when the waters of the Atlantic Ocean are warm enough to produce a tropical cyclone, the general category of weather systems which include tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes. Hurricanes typically start to become more of a concern in Canadian waters a bit later in the season; however, the CHC maintains a year-round vigil, monitoring the Atlantic Ocean for any tropical or tropical-like cyclone that may form and which may pose a threat to Canada or its waters and the safety of Canadians.
