SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Hurricane researchers at Colorado State University are forecasting a slightly below average 2017 hurricane season in their annual predictions.
In their first predictions of the year, the CSU team is predicting 11 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, including four hurricanes and two major hurricanes.
The report claims the probability of a major hurricane making landfall on the East Coast of the U.S., including South Florida, to be at 24 percent. The average over the last century has been 31 percent.
The forecast of a slightly below average season is due to the potential of a weak to moderate El Niño developing during the peak of the season.
However, team members caution all residents to not let their guard down despite the below average forecast.
“It takes only one storm near you to make this an active season,” said Michael Bell, associate professor in CSU's Department of Atmospheric Science.
The team will issue an updated forecast on June 1.
The 2017 hurricane season begins on June 1 and runs through November 30.