NOAA Predicts Near-Normal, Below-Normal Hurricane Season

摘要

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting a near-normal or below-normal Atlantic hurricane season. The main driver of this year's outlook is the anticipated development of El Nino this summer, which causes stronger wind shear, reducing the number and intensity of tropical storms and hurricanes. El Nino can also strengthen the trade winds and increase the atmospheric stability across the tropical Atlantic, NOAA comments, making it more difficult for cloud systems coming off Africa to intensify into tropical storms.