U.S. sees first named storm of 2020 with Arthur, weeks ahead of hurricane season
Hurricane season starts June 1. Here's what experts predict for another season of 'above-average' activity in 2020.
With Tropical Storm Arthur, 2020 has recorded its first named Atlantic storm, weeks ahead of the official start of hurricane season.
Satellites picked up Arthur’s formation on Sunday, May 17, 2020, as it made its way towards North Carolina into Monday, bringing heavy rains and strong winds to the coast.
The latest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) report issued Monday evening at 11 p.m. ET recorded Arthur 50 miles off the coast of North Carolina packing maximum sustained winds of 60 mph.
At the time, the storm appeared to be veering east into the Atlantic. NOAA reports swells generated by Arthur are expected to affect portions of the mid-Atlantic and southeast U.S. coasts through Thursday (May 21).
A glimpse of what’s to come this season
Tropical Storm Arthur comes nearly two weeks away from the official start of the hurricane season. While a pre-season storm is not a rarity, recent hurricane seasons have put insurers on edge after several consecutive, record-breaking loss years. Adding to the story, Arthur comes ahead of what experts are forecasting to be another “above-average” hurricane season.
Reflecting on hurricane trends of recent years, hurricane-associated flooding and rainfall rates also projected to rise.
In a new report from Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS), “Storms Surging: Building Resilience in Extreme Weather,” researchers predict 14–18 tropical storms in the 2020 season, with 7–9 formations to reach hurricane-strength and 2–4 to become major hurricanes.
Forecasts by other source experts contain similar findings predicting a season of above-normal activity compared to the 30-year average (1981-2010) of 13 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
In the AGCS report, The Weather Company more specifically called for 18 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes, including one that is Category 3 or higher — numbers significantly above the 30-year average.
The Allianz report summarizes the predicted number of storm events for 2020 by several meteorological organizations, including Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) and AccuWeather. Both forecasts predict an above-average number of storms and hurricanes to make landfall in the U.S. this hurricane season.
‘Insurers are ready for extreme weather,’ NAMIC says
Hurricanes are just one extreme weather threat facing the nation. This spring has seen the deadliest tornado activity in nearly a decade, severely impacting southern states, including Tennessee and Mississippi in particular. In April alone, 14 severe tornados were recorded, claiming dozens of lives and creating billions of dollars in damage and insured losses.
Piling on, drought conditions in the West have exacerbated concern over wildfire outbreaks.
Charles Chamness, president and CEO of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) issued a statement addressing these threats and insurers ability to handle them.
In the statement, Chamness said, “Even as we all adjust to the ‘new normal,’ insurance companies are committed to settling covered claims as quickly as possible and with proper safeguards in place… And despite the economic challenges of the past few months, insurers across the country are prepared for the extreme weather ahead and will be there for policyholders.”
Addressing COVID-19 and social distancing concerns, Chamness added that insurers are making increased use of technology to help prevent the spread of the disease, including the use of smartphone images and video to eliminate the need for an onsite visit. Insurers have also set policies to maintain social distancing even in those cases where adjusters need to be on-site to help with a claim.
See also: