NBC 6 meteorologist Steve MacLaughlin has a look at the start to the 2022 season and if this means South Florida could catch a break from the storm threat.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and researchers at the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project released updated 2022 Atlantic hurricane season forecasts Thursday, slightly dropping the number of expected storms and hurricanes but still predicting above-average totals.
NOAA's updated totals call for 14-20 named storms, one below their prediction released in May.
The total number of hurricanes expected remains unchanged at six to ten, but the number of major hurricanes is now expected to be three to five, instead of the earlier prediction of three to six, NOAA said.
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NOAA's averages for the Atlantic hurricane season is 14 named storms and seven hurricanes. The average for major hurricanes is three.
The Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and runs through November 30.
So far, there have been three named storms and zero hurricanes in 2022.
Local
Colorado State's updated forecast calls for 18 named storms, one below their prediction released in April.
The total number of hurricanes expected has gone from nine to eight, and major hurricanes expected remains unchanged at four, Colorado State said.
The past couple hurricane seasons have seen large numbers of named storms, and if 2022 is above-normal, it would be the seventh consecutive year it's been above-normal.
The 2021 season was the third-most active season on record, with 21 named storms and seven hurricanes.
The 2020 season was record-breaking, with 30 named storms and 13 hurricanes, including six major hurricanes. It was only the second time the Greek alphabet was utilized to complete a season.
After that season, the Greek alphabet was discontinued and a list of supplemental names is now used.
