NOAA predicts above-normal Hurricane Season

NOAA predicts above-normal 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season

• US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted another above average hurricane season this year. This would be the 7^th consecutive above average season (1 June to 30 Nov).
• The forecast is based on ongoing La Niña, above-average Atlantic temperatures, weaker tropical trade winds and an enhanced west African monsoon.
• NOAA predicts a 65% chance of an above-normal season, a 25% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.
• They are predicting, with 70% confidence, 14 to 21 named storms of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes and 3 to 6 major hurricanes.
• Atlantic hurricanes are a risk for Gulf of Mexico production and Gulf Coast refining. The area has 14% of US crude production and 1.8% of gas production, as well as 45% of US refining capacity and 51% of gas-processing capacity.