Are you prepared for hurricane season?
The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season is forecast to be more active than previous years. According to a forecast released by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, there will be a higher number of named storms and hurricanes. The Weather Company updated its seasonal forecast earlier in May and expects a total of 14 named storms – seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes – this season. This is an increase from its forecast compared to April due to a couple of factors.
According to NOAA, "The outlook reflects our expectation of a weak or non-existent El Niño, near- or above-average sea-surface temperatures across the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea and average or weaker-than-average vertical wind shear in that same region."
Strong El Niños typically lead to increased wind shear in parts of the Atlantic Basin, suppressing the development or intensification of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic, so the prediction for weak conditions increased the chance for more activity this season.
Another factor the outlook cited is that there is a reduced potential for the development and strength of El Niño later this summer.
Additionally, warmer sea-surface temperatures have been observed in the North Atlantic, which have correlated with more active seasons in the past.
Don’t be caught off-guard; now is the time to prepare. Check out these hurricane preparedness and recovery tips to get you "hurricane ready."
If you have any questions about your insurance coverage, call us at 800-255-6792. We would be happy to walk you through your policy to ensure you have the right coverage for your property.