Welcome to brain Stuff production of iHeart Radio. Hey brain Stuff, Lauren bol Obam here. Hurricane season is already off to a record start in the United States. At the time of this recording, seven named storms have formed in the Atlantic, including Hurricane Elsa, which became a hurricane on July two, the earliest fifth named Atlantic hurricane since nineteen sixty six. Elsa made landfall July seven in the Florida Panhandle as
a Category one storm. Now halfway through the hurricane season, the Climate Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAH, released its annual mid season update on August four, which suggests conditions are ripe for another above average number of storms. The agency is predicting a busy, though not record breaking season with fifteen to twenty one named storms. That is, storms with winds of thirty nine miles per hour or sixty two kilometers per hour or greater.
That includes seven to ten hurricanes, with three to five of those likely to be Category three, four, or five. The higher the category number, the higher the hurricanes winds, and the more widespread and serious the damage is likely to be. And this is up from noah's former predictions. A meteorologists analyzed a mix of atmospheric and oceanic conditions when updating the original forecast. In addition, in July, NOAH declared a La Nina watch, which means there's a potential
for La Nina to develop during hurricane season. During a news conference on August four, Matthew Rosencrans, Noah's lead hurricane season forecaster, explained, quote La Nina occurs when there are cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial region of the Pacific Ocean, linked to weakening wind shear over the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic Ocean, which favors more and
stronger Atlantic storms. A While conditions suggests that will be a busy season, a Rosencranz said he doesn't believe it will be as active as the record breaking season because Atlantic sea surface temperatures aren't expected to be as warm and so far are trending closer to average. Noah's update to the outlook covers the entire six month hurricane season, which runs from June one until November. The hurricane season
peaks in mid August through October. While NOAH and its Climate Prediction Center are in charge of forecasts, it's the National Hurricane Center that tracks storms that actually form and predicts their paths, and the best track of a storm can be made only about five to seven days out, and that's why people living along the coast and in low lying areas and regions prone to inland flooding need
to be prepared now. Rosencranz said, as we've seen in re and years, threats from hurricanes are not limited to damaging winds, but also dangerous storm surge and torrential rain and wind flooding. Everyone should know their hurricane risk, have a plan, and be prepared for the upcoming core of the season. National Weather Service Director Lewis W. Eutelini, PhD, said in a press statement. Now is the time for families and communities to ensure their preparations are in place.
These storms can be devastating, so be prepared for all possible outcomes by staying tuned to the forecast and following safety information and possible evacuation notifications issued by emergency officials. These storms can be devastating, so be prepared for all possible outcomes by staying tuned to the forecast and following safety information and possible evacuation notifications issued by emergency officials.
Today's episode is based on the article Atlantic hurricane season is about to get a second win on how stuff works dot com. Written by Sarah Blind. Brain Stuff is a production of I Heart Radio in partnership with how stuff works dot Com, and it is produced by Tyler Klein. Four more podcasts from my heart Radio, visit the I heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.