Active Year Expected for Atlantic Hurricanes

Colorado State University is anticipating that the 2020 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have above-normal activity.

The group predicts 16 named storms, 8 of which will become hurricanes, and four of those to become a major hurricane (category 3 or higher).

On average, there are 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes.

The reasoning behind the forecast is current warm neutral ENSO conditions appear likely to transition to cool neutral ENSO or potentially even weak La Niña conditions by this summer/fall.

Sea surface temperatures averaged across the tropical Atlantic are somewhat above normal.

The group also predicts an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean.