'Unusual' Pattern Noticed Ahead of Hurricane Season
A rare calm has settled over the Northern Hemisphere just weeks before the official start of hurricane season, and forecasters are watching closely. As of May 16, not a single tropical cyclone has formed anywhere north of the equator. Something that's only happened five other times since 1950.
According to meteorologist Phil Klotzbach of Colorado State University, on average 3.5 storms would have already formed by this point in the year. The drought includes all tropical systems—hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones—in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
While the Atlantic and eastern Pacific are often quiet in early May, the lack of activity in the western Pacific is what makes this year stand out. That region typically kickstarts the tropical storm season, but unusual wind patterns near the Philippines have created anti-cyclonic flow, a condition that suppresses storm development.The last time the season started this slowly was 2024. That year eventually produced 58 named storms, which is slightly below the long-term average of 62. Other years with this rare pattern (1973, 1983, 1984, and 1998) also ended with below-normal totals.
So, is this a good sign? Not necessarily.
In 1973, the first storm didn't form until June 2—still the record for the latest first storm in the Northern Hemisphere. And quiet beginnings don't always mean mild endings. 'It's too early to tell,' Klotzbach told USA Today.
Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere has seen a busier-than-average season, with 31 named storms compared to the typical 25. That contrast underscores how variable global storm patterns can be.
Forecasters say that while the Atlantic and Gulf regions remain quiet for now, the calm may not last. Some recent hurricane outlooks suggest the quiet won't last — and that conditions could turn dangerous soon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Chinese ship runs aground off Philippines-occupied island in disputed South China Sea
A Chinese ship ran aground in stormy weather in shallow waters off a Philippines-occupied island in the disputed South China Sea, prompting Filipino forces to go on alert, Philippine military officials said. (AP Video/Joeal Calupitan)
CBS News
10 hours ago
- CBS News
Tropical Storm Barbara forms off the southwestern coast of Mexico, expected to become a hurricane
What to expect as 2025 hurricane season begins Tropical Storm Barbara formed off the coast of Southwestern Mexico and it is expected to become a hurricane without menacing land, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Sunday. Barbara was located about 170 miles southwest of the tourist port of Zihuatanejo in Guerrero state, according to the center. It had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and was moving west-northwest at 12 mph. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. Two to four inches of rainfall in portions of Mexico's western states may lead to flooding and mudslides through Monday. The storm is also likely to generate sea swells with life-threatening surf and rip currents along the southwestern coast. Forecast cone for Tropical Storm Barbara NOAA/National Hurricane Center At 4 a.m., the center was located in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, moving west-northwest at 12 miles per hour. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour, with higher gusts. Barbara is forecast to continue to strengthen and become a hurricane on Monday. NOAA officials predicted a 60% chance of an "above-normal" hurricane season, with between 13 to 19 named storms. Six to 10 of those are expected to strengthen into hurricanes, and three to five could become major hurricanes, forecasters said. The Pacific hurricane season began on May 15, while the Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 until Nov. 30, with peak activity typically occurring between mid-August and mid-October.
Washington Post
11 hours ago
- Washington Post
Tropical Storm Barbara strengthens off Mexico and is expected to become a hurricane
MEXICO CITY — Tropical Storm Barbara was strengthening Sunday off the southwest coast of Mexico and was expected to become a hurricane but without menacing land, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. Barbara was located about 170 miles (275 kilometers) south-west of the touristic port of Zihuatanejo in Guerrero state, according to the center. It had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph), and was moving west-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph). No coastal watches or warnings were issued. The storm is expected to become a hurricane later Sunday as it moves west-northwest for two more days, before turning toward west into the Pacific by Tuesday, forecasters said. Barbara formed off the southwest coast of Mexico earlier Sunday. Heavy rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters), with amounts of up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) in limited areas, are possible across portions of the Mexican states of Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco through Monday. Th rainfall may lead to flooding and mudslides. Swells affecting portions of the southwestern Mexico coast for the next few days can produce life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, the hurricane center said.
