Another Active Atlantic Hurricane Season in 2022: AccuWeather

Following the most active season for named storms in the Atlantic in 2020 and the third-most named storms in 2021, AccuWeather forecasters said to prepare for more of the same in 2022.

AccuWeather has predicted 16-20 named storms during the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, with six to eight hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes. The typical season includes about 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes of at least Category 3.

The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1.

The outlook from AccuWeather comes about a week prior to the first report from researchers at Colorado State University.

There were 21 named storms in 2021, including Hurricane Ida, which made landfall as one of the strongest hurricanes ever with maximum sustained winds of 150mph. There were seven hurricanes and four major hurricanes in 2021. Seven named storms and two hurricanes made landfall in the U.S.

AccuWeather said warm ocean water – a factor in storm formation – could get the storm season off to an early start again as it has for the last several seasons. The National Hurricane Center has considered moving the season start date to May 15, AccuWeather said.

Warm sea temperatures also lower pressure and put more moisture in the air to enhance storm activity. Other current conditions favor an active season, such as the weather pattern known as La Nina, which limits vertical wind shear to break up storms, AccuWeather said.

Related:

• Active 2021 Hurricane Season Revealed ‘Unsettling’ Trends: AIR Worldwide
• Wrapping up Hurricane Season: Ida, Katrina, and the Importance of Adequate Loss Modeling