The Weather Company releases 2019 hurricane predictions
Hurricane season begins June 1 and continues through the end of November.
The Weather Company released its 2019 hurricane season forecast recently. In it, forecasters predict the year will include a total of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.
This is slightly above the 30-year average of 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and three major hurricanes that qualify as a Category 3 storm or greater.
The Weather Company’s outlook is based on a number of factors including sea-surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, El Niño and other teleconnections, statistical computer forecasts and past hurricane seasons exhibiting similar atmospheric conditions.
What to expect in the U.S.
According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Hurricane Research Division, the U.S. averages one or two hurricane landfalls each season. As the P&C world is well aware, the past two hurricane seasons have been historically catastrophic.
In 2018, four named storms hit the U.S. coast including the hugely destructive Hurricanes Florence and Michael. The year prior, 2017 saw seven named storms, notably Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, which battered Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico respectively.
None of the U.S. hurricane landfalls from 2006 through 2015 involved major hurricanes, indicating how unpredictable hurricane seasons can be.
Hurricane season begins June 1 and continues through the end of November.
Related: 14 electrical safety tips: What to do before, after and during a storm