May 22, 2014 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Environment Canada
The Canadian Hurricane Centre (CHC) is encouraging Canadians to prepare for the 2014 hurricane season.
The season officially runs from June through November, when the waters of the Atlantic Ocean are warm enough to produce a tropical cyclone. Typically, hurricanes start to become more of a concern in Canadian waters a bit later in the season; however, the CHC monitors the Atlantic Ocean year-round for any tropical or tropical-like cyclone that could pose a threat to Canada or its waters.
The United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) outlook, released earlier today, predicts 8-13 named storms, 3-6 hurricanes, and 1-2 major hurricanes for this season.
NOAA predicts that the level of hurricane activity in the North Atlantic Ocean this year will be near below-average, due to a relatively high likelihood of El Niño and cooler Atlantic Ocean temperatures. Regardless of the overall number of storms forecast for the entire Atlantic Basin, on average the CHC responds to four or five tropical cyclone events each year with one or two of those affecting Canada’s land areas, and another two or three threatening our offshore waters.
For more information on preparing for hurricanes visit http://www.getprepared.ca.
Ted Laking
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
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