2020 Hurricane Season May Bring Record Number Of Storms

MIAMI, FL — Days after Hurricane Isaias hammered parts of the East Coast, weather researchers say the 2020 Atlantic hurricane system will be "extremely active" with the potential to be one for the record books.

"The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has been off to a rapid pace with a record-setting nine named storms so far and has the potential to be one of the busiest on record," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Thursday in releasing the agency's revised seasonal outlook.

An average season produces 12 named storms, including six hurricanes of which three become major Category 3 storms or above with top winds of at least 111 mph.

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The updated NOAA outlook calls for 19-25 named storms with winds of at least 39 mph, of which 7-11 will become hurricanes, including three to six major hurricanes.

“This year, we expect more, stronger, and longer-lived storms than average," observed lead seasonal hurricane forecaster Gerry Bell at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

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Colorado State University forecasters released a separate updated forecast outlook that calls for 24 named storms in 2020, including this year's Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna and most recently Isaias.

The Colorado forecast calls for 12 storms to become hurricanes, including Hanna and Isaias, and five to reach major hurricane strength

"Tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures averaged over the past month are at their fourth-highest levels since 1982, trailing only the very active Atlantic hurricane seasons of 2005, 2010 and 2017," Colorado researchers said.

"Warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures provide more fuel for tropical cyclone formation and intensification," Colorado researchers explained. "They are also associated with a more unstable atmosphere as well as moister air, both of which favor organized thunderstorm activity that is necessary for hurricane development."

The coronavirus outbreak is figuring prominently into this year's hurricane planning with the added need to maintain social distancing at emergency shelters and possibly even to provide testing for evacuees if necessary.