2013 Hurricane Forecast

Everyone in the tri-state area has vivid memories of Super-Storm Sandy. Now, get ready for visits from Erin, Felix, Jerry, and Karen, accompanied by potential 12-foot wave surges and 130 mph winds. These are the hurricanes due to hit shores along our seaboard during the 2013 Atlantic region hurricane season.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the forecast calls for 13-20 named storms, including 3-6 major hurricanes.  NOAA's forecast specifies a "70 percent likelihood" of a range of storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes.

These forecast numbers are above the long-term average from 1950-2012 (12 named storms, 7 hurricanes, 3 major hurricanes) and slightly above the averages for the current active era from 1995-2012 (15 named storms, 8 hurricanes, 4 major hurricanes).

Three straight Atlantic hurricane seasons have had 19 storms. Only seven Atlantic seasons have had more hurricanes than last season's 10 hurricanes. Among the four U.S. landfalls were the most intense tropical cyclone to make a U.S. landfall prior to June 1 (Tropical Storm Beryl), a soaking Tropical Storm Debby, a painfully slow Hurricane Isaac, and one of the most destructive storms in U.S. history, Superstorm Sandy. (Sandy became a "post-tropical" system shortly before landfall.)

Other Seasonal Forecasts:

• The Weather Channel's forecast released on April 8 called for 16 named storms, 9 of which would become hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale).
• Colorado State University (CSU) released its forecast for the 2013 hurricane season on April 10 predicting a total of 18 named storms, 9 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes.

Also in This Issue

• Reality Check: What If a Disaster Happened Today?
• Answers to 3 Common Disaster Recovery Questions
• 7 Steps to Building a Disaster Recovery Program
• The Lightpath Disaster Recovery Solutions Portfolio
• 9 Links to Disaster Recovery Resources