Report Predicts Near-Average 2016 Hurricane Season
Earlier this month, the Tropical Meteorological Project at Colorado State University (CSU) predicted 2016 could be a near-average hurricane season. In CSU’s Atlantic Basin Seasonal Hurricane Forecast, climatologists stated there could be 13 named storms in the 2016 hurricane season, five of which could be hurricanes and two of which could be major hurricanes designated as Category 3 or above. According the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an average hurricane season includes 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes. Should this prediction hold, it would mean we could see more activity this year than in the past three seasons, which were considered below average.
Hurricane season occurs annually from June 1st through November 30th, although one unusual storm has already occurred in 2016. Hurricane Alex, a Category 1 storm, made landfall in The Azores Islands located in the Atlantic Ocean this past January. Hurricanes that form outside the normal hurricane season months generally occur in May or December. According to CSU, this rare storm, combined with an unpredictable El Nino weather system, makes this year’s hurricane forecast more uncertain than usual.
In specific to our region, climatologists predict there is a 79 percent chance a named storm of some magnitude, such as a tropical storm, will make landfall along the Gulf Coast, which runs from the Florida panhandle westward to Brownsville, TX and includes Nueces County. In addition, there is also a 29 percent chance a Category 3 or above hurricane will affect the Gulf Coast region this year, which is slightly less than normal. Nueces County is one of the fourteen Tier One coastal counties in the state, a designation given to the counties most likely to be affected by a hurricane that makes landfall in Texas.
As residents of the Coastal Bend know, it only takes one major tropical event to make landfall for it be considered an active season to those affected by such a storm. This is why it is especially important for us all to take the proper measures to ensure we are prepared for hurricane season. These measures can include creating a disaster plan for your family and staying up to date on information about hurricanes and tropical storms. In addition to the Colorado State University report, the NOAA’s National Hurricane Center website provides up to date information about potential tropical weather events as well as hurricane preparedness tips. To learn more visit the National Hurricane Center.
To learn more visit Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorological Project. Also visit the 2016 Atlantic Basin Seasonal Hurricane Forecast.
If you would like to follow the Texas House and learn more information on news, committees or other aspects of the legislative body, you can access its website at Texas House of Representatives. The site features live streaming from committee hearings as well as access to a number of other resources. You can also follow the Texas Senate at Texas Senate. Also visit The Texas Governor’s official website.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Nueces (Part). He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.
