NOAA forecasters release predictions for 2023 Atlantic hurricane season
NOAA hurricane forecast NOAA GOES satellite captures Hurricane Ian as it made landfall on the barrier island of Cayo Costa in southwest Florida on September 28, 2022. (NOAA)
ORLANDO, Fla. — NOAA forecasters are predicting “near-normal” hurricane activity in the Atlantic this year, according to predictions released Thursday.
NOAA is forecasting a range of 12 to 17 total named storms, which includes storms with winds of 39 mph or higher. Of those, forecasters said five to nine could become hurricanes with 74 mph or higher winds, including one to four major hurricanes – or category 3, 4 or 5 storms with winds of 111 mph or higher. NOAA said it has 70% confidence in these ranges.
Hurricane season names These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Arlene These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Bret These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Cindy These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Don These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Emily These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Franklin These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Gert These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Harold These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Idalia These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Jose These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Katia These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Lee These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Margot These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Nigel These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Ophelia These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Philippe These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Rina These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Sean These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Tammy These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Vince These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
Whitney These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)
But Channel 9 chief meteorologist Tom Terry said numbers aside, it is still important to prepare ahead of hurricane season.
“We know firsthand from Ian last year that it only takes one storm to bring an ‘active’ season for us,” Terry said.
NOAA said the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be less active than recent years.
According to their 2023 prediction, forecasters said after three hurricane seasons with La Nina present, NOAA scientists predict a high potential for El Nino to develop this summer, which can suppress Atlantic hurricane activity.
But Terry said that doesn’t mean we’re in the clear.
“The water temperatures are way above normal in our part of the world, so even if El Nino helps prevent some systems from forming, the ones that do develop could still be quite strong and grow rapidly,” Terry said. “So, make sure you and your family have some basic storm preparation items already on hand before a system forms and know if you could need to evacuate -- whether you live at the coast, or in a less sturdy structure like a mobile home.”
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SEE: Storm names for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season