Most Active Hurricane Season Ever?

This fall is shaping up to be the most active hurricane season in the Atlantic ever, with the Atlantic having two hurricanes and 21 total storms as of August 7. It is taking shape as an extremely active season this year with many more storms predicted.

Colorado State University, which is the standard forecaster for the Atlantic ocean, is predicting 15 more named storms and 10 more hurricanes including five major hurricanes, category 3 storms or higher, with a 75% chance that one of those major hurricanes will make landfall in the United States. Everything that CSU is forecasting is double the forty year average, which is making 2020 rival the 2005 season. That was the year Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma caused cataclysmic damage in Louisiana and Florida.

It is especially dangerous for us because of the surface temperatures of the Gulf of Mexico with the recent trend of storms slowing down and then growing extremely fast in the Gulf as we saw with Hurricanes Harvey and Hannah. With this uptick in storms this season we are likely to see more rainfall here in Fayette County with a chance for some hurricane or tropical storm-force winds.

NOAA has also released their season outlook with an 85% chance of an above normal season with seven to 11 more hurricanes and three to six major hurricanes. All of this data is making 2020 to look like the most active season in history.

With this uptick in storms, we could run out of names for this year and have to switch to the Greek alphabet, which is likely to occur this year. So this fall stay aware and attentive to the forecasts of these storms and the warnings that come along with them.

On another note I am now back at college and need your suggestions or questions more than ever to keep making these articles. You can contact the paper and I will get those messages forwarded to me or you can contact me directly by sending an email to tomy3290@gmail. com.

Now here is the forecast for the week. It’s finally August and the heat and humidity are in full swing with temps hanging around 100 degrees. High humidity makes it feel like it is 110 outside, so if you are outside stay hydrated and safe.

On the astrological side of things, the Perseid Meteor shower will peak Aug. 11 and 12. Look near the horizon east to west. The best time to watch is Tuesday night to early Wednesday morning, with the most activity around 3 to 4 a.m.

Thomas Borgstedte Jr is a meteorology student at Texas A&M University. Email him weather questions at tomy3290@gmail.com