A new normal for hurricane season -- NOAA ups the average

SOUTH MISSISSPPI (WLOX) - The average is being updated when it comes to hurricane season activity, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This is because we’re in a new decade.

The new average or new normal will now reflect the years of 1991 to 2020.

This update has caused an increase to what is considered normal: now with two more named storms and one more hurricane per season. The number of normal major hurricanes remains at three.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center will use 1991-2020 as the new 30-year period of record starting this year. The averages for the Atlantic hurricane season are now 14 named storms & 7 hurricanes. No change for major hurricanes at 3. https://t.co/Rxs1M7Tr4s @NHC_Atlantic pic.twitter.com/I3nS5lKPi3
— National Hurricane Center (@NWSNHC) April 9, 2021

“The increase in the averages may be attributed to the overall improvement in observing platforms, including NOAA’s fleet of next-generation environmental satellites and continued hurricane reconnaissance,” stated a report from NOAA on Friday. “It may also be due to the warming ocean and atmosphere which are influenced by climate change.”

“The update also reflects a very busy period over the last 30 years, which includes many years of a positive Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation, which can increase Atlantic hurricane activity,” the report continued.

You can click here to read NOAA’s full report on this matter.

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