Forecast: “Below Normal” Hurricane Season Expected

Hurricane Sandy left ruins behind along the New Jersey coast. This hurricane season is expected to produce fewer storms.

The federal government’s forecasters are predicting a “below-normal” hurricane season this year, officials said Tuesday.

“NOAA’s 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook indicates that a below-normal hurricane season is most likely this year,” the agency said in a release. “The main climate factor expected to suppress this hurricane season is El Niño, which is now present and is expected to last through the hurricane season.”

What does a “below-normal” season look like?

• 6-11 Named Storms, which includes TS Ana that formed in May
• 3-6 Hurricanes
• 0-2 Major Hurricanes
• Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) range of 40%-85% of the median

NOAA says: “These expected ranges are centered below the official NHC 1981-2010 seasonal averages of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes.”

The gist? There will be fewer storms this year, and the ones that become significant are still expected to be weaker.

Thanks, El Niño!