Researchers Say Outlook Indicates Active 2008 Hurricane Season

April 9, 2008

According to researchers at North Carolina State University, the 2008 hurricane season looks to be an active one; however, the number of storms that will have the potential to make landfall is close to that for an average year.

According to Dr. Lian Xie, professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences at NC State, and graduate student Elinor Keith, the outlook for 2008 is for an active season, with the possibility of 13-15 named storms forming in the Atlantic Basin, which includes the entire Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

Of those named storms, 6-8 may grow strong enough to become hurricanes. The southeastern coast of the U.S. could see 1-2 named storms make landfall, and there is a better than 50 percent chance that at least one of the storms will be a hurricane.

The Gulf of Mexico is most likely to see storm activity this year, as Xie's research indicates that 2-4 named storms, including one hurricane, are likely to make landfall along the Gulf Coast.

Xie's methodology evaluates data from the last 100 years on Atlantic Ocean hurricane positions and intensity, as well as other variables including weather patterns and sea surface temperatures, in order to predict how many storms will form and where they will make landfall.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

Source: North Carolina State University

• Modernmystic - Apr 09, 2008
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  Think we'll hear about it if it turns out to be a normal season like last year?
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• mikiwud - Apr 09, 2008
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  I've said what I was told to,can I have my grant now please?
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• out7x - Apr 10, 2008
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  What criteria? The lottery?
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• SDMike - Apr 10, 2008
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  Sigh. Here we go again. I wonder if they changed their software from LAST spring or if they just rebooted?
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• Rick69 - Apr 10, 2008
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  If they keep guessing this every year, they will eventually be correct and then the media will make a big to do about it and as mikiwud states, they will get a big grant.
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• HeRoze - Apr 17, 2008
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  Rick69- Bingo. I'm setting up a wet-sock and barometer in the backyard. My application for federal funding of studying the increased huricane activity for 2009 is in works. Mine is tied directly to man-made global warming, and the cover has a picture of a young person holding a puppy. The puppy is panting - planting a subliminal message about the affects of GW.
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• Bazz - Sep 25, 2008
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  They seem to be more accurate than expected so far, it may exeed thier predictions.
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• Modernmystic - Sep 25, 2008
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  Yep, a pretty average season so far.
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