HALIFAX, May 27, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Hurricane Centre (CHC) is encouraging Canadians to prepare for the 2015 hurricane season.
The United States' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) outlook, released earlier today, predicts 6-11 named storms, 3-6 hurricanes, and up to two major hurricanes for this season. Today, the CHC put this seasonal forecast into perspective for Canadians.
NOAA predicts that the level of hurricane activity in the North Atlantic Ocean this year will be below-average, due to a relatively high likelihood of El Niño and colder Atlantic Ocean temperatures. Regardless of the overall number of storms forecast for the entire Atlantic Basin, on average the CHC responds to four or five tropical cyclone events each year with one or two of those affecting Canada's land areas, and another two or three threatening our offshore waters.
The season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, when the waters of the Atlantic Ocean are warm enough to produce a tropical cyclone. Typically, hurricanes start to become more of a concern in Canadian waters a bit later in the season; however, the CHC monitors the Atlantic Ocean year-round for any tropical or tropical-like cyclone that could pose a threat to Canada or its waters.
Quick Facts
- The Canadian Hurricane Centre works closely with its partners at the United States National Hurricane Centre to promote hurricane safety and preparedness.
- Environment Canada encourages Canadians to prepare for the hurricane season by:
- assembling emergency kits and readying homes and properties (visit the Get Prepared Web site); and
- following Environment Canada's hurricane bulletins on the Internet or through local media.
- Weather systems defined by the term "tropical cyclone" include tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes.
- El Niño conditions are in place when the East Pacific Ocean has warmer than average temperatures, leading to cloud development and increased wind speeds in the upper atmosphere over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. These winds typically suppress hurricane activity.
- Hurricane development depends on a number of factors including water temperatures, the presence or absence of an El Niño, and atmospheric pressure.
Quote
"While it is predicted that this year will see below-average levels of hurricane activity, we're also reminding Canadians that there is very little correlation between the number of storms that form in the North Atlantic and the number that make their way into Canadian waters. It only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it a bad season. That's why we're reminding Canadians that it's time to start preparing for hurricane season."
– Bob Robichaud, Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
Associated Links
For more information and to view a backgrounder on this announcement, please visit the Government of Canada's website.
For more information on preparing for hurricanes visit the Get Prepared Web site.
Environment Canada's Twitter page
Environment Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment Canada
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Canadian Hurricane Centre, 902-426-3500
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