/ Modified jun 17, 2019 4:36 p.m.

UA storm watchers predict active hurricane season

Annual forecast model shows Atlantic conditions similar to dangerous 2017.

Harvey Flooding Rescue crews during 2017 flooding from Hurricane Harvey in Texas
Texas Army National Guard

University of Arizona researchers are forecasting an above-average hurricane season for the Atlantic Ocean.

The UA forecast predicts eight hurricanes will develop in the Atlantic. Three are expected to be major storms, reaching up to Category 5. The National Hurricane Center lists Category 5 storms as having winds of 157 miles an hour, causing catastrophic damage.

Climate professor Xubin Zeng developed the UA forecasting model. He says it is shaping up to be similar to the 2017 hurricane season.

"Some people still remember Hurricane Harvey flooding the whole Houston area," said Zeng. "And Hurricane Maria caused substantial damage to Puerto Rico."

The predictions go beyond those from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That agency expects six hurricanes in the Atlantic in 2019.

The UA forecasters have been issuing storm prediction data since 2014. Their outlook has proven accurate to within two hurricanes per-season.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona