Lack of El Niño to see nations blasted by huge storms
The United States and rest of the Americas will be battered by unusually strong and frequent hurricanes due to the lack of El Niño, meteorologists warn.
By SEAN MARTIN
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Hurricane season is upon us
Hurricane season could be the most active since 2010, according to research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center.The team says the strong, warm current caused by the El Niño weather pattern usually prevents hurricanes from truly taking shape.Every two to seven years the weather phenomena returns as a result of interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere, forcing global temperatures to rise and result in extreme rain and wind.However, this year is one in which it will probably not be present.
Weather phenomenons el nino and la nina explained
Gerry Bell, the lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, said: “We’re now entering the peak of the season, when the bulk of the storms usually form.
“The wind and air patterns in the area of the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean where many storms develop are very conducive to an above-normal season.“This is, in part, because the chance of El Niño forming, which tends to prevent storms from strengthening, has dropped significantly from May.”
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El Niño’s warm current
A statement from NOAA says: “NOAA’s updated 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook indicates that an above-normal hurricane season is most likely, with the possibility that the season could be extremely active.“The outlook indicates a 60% chance of an above-normal season.”
A look back on the devastating Storm Angus (November 22, 2016)
Storm Angus has brought hurricane force winds to southern Britain causing flooding and power cuts to thousands of homes.
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The other side of the pond can expect stronger storms
So far this year, there have already been six named storms (Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, Emily, Franklin and Gert) – double the normal amount by this point.Additionally, 95 per cent of of tropical storms over the Atlantic form in the three month period after August 1, signalling that the US is well and truly entering hurricane season.
