FORT COLLINS, Colorado, CMC – Forecasters at the Colorado State University are maintaining their prediction for an above average Atlantic hurricane season this year.
The hurricane team, which includes the respected meteorologist William Gray, said it was sticking with its June prediction of 18 named storms – ten of them hurricanes – the year based on unusually warm sea surface temperatures and the development of a La Niña weather phenomenon.
Gray and his colleagues have predicted that five of the hurricanes will develop into major systems with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or greater.
“We have witnessed the development of La Niña conditions over the past couple of months, and we believe that a moderate La Niña will be present over the next several months, which is associated with decreased levels of vertical wind shear and increased hurricane activity,” said Gray, in his 27th year of forecasting hurricanes at Colorado State.
Phil Klotzbach, the lead author of the forecast, said sea conditions also factored into their prediction.
Lord have mercy! Wash us from our sins till we be spotless again.