Above-normal 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season most likely – Met Service
KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Meteorological Service Division has endorsed the forecast of the Climate Prediction Centre of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as its official seasonal outlook for the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season indicates that this year could see above-normal activity.
The Met Service in a release today said most of this activity is predicted to occur during the peak months of the hurricane season: August, September and October.The outlook does not provide a prediction of the number of storms expected to make landfall over Jamaica nor any impact for any particular location on the island.Specifically, the outlook calls for a 70 per cent probability for each of the following ranges of activity:11-17 named storms, which includes Tropical Storm Arlene in April5-9 hurricanes2-4 major hurricanesThe outlook will be updated in early-August, prior to the peak of the season.A normal season produces on average, 12 named storms, six of which become hurricanes and three of which become hurricanes of category 3 or higher (major hurricanes), the Met Service said.Whether the seasonal prediction is for above-normal or below-normal activity, a disaster can occur from only one hurricane or tropical storm, or even from a lesser developing system, the Met Service cautioned.The Met Service is therefore advising residents to prepare for each hurricane season regardless of the seasonal forecast.During the month of June, being recognised as Disaster Preparedness Month, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management will provide important hurricane preparedness information through their offices and the mass media, the Met Service added.