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El Niño's Dual Impact: Calm Atlantic, Wild Pacific
21 May
Summary
- El Niño pattern predicts calm Atlantic and active Pacific hurricane seasons.
- Eastern Pacific may see 70 percent chance of above-normal storm activity.
- Despite low forecast, catastrophic Category 5 storms can still strike.
The Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be calmer than normal this year, a stark contrast to the eastern Pacific, which is bracing for heightened activity. This shift is attributed to the El Niño climate pattern, known for suppressing Atlantic storms while intensifying those in the Pacific.
The eastern Pacific region faces a 70 percent likelihood of an above-normal hurricane season, potentially impacting areas including Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast. Forecasters anticipate between 9 to 14 hurricanes, with 5 to 9 classified as major.
While the Atlantic may see only 1 to 3 major hurricanes and 3 to 6 total, officials caution that devastating Category 5 storms are still a possibility. They stress that only one major storm is needed to cause significant destruction, highlighting the necessity of preparedness regardless of the overall forecast. This follows a notably quiet Atlantic season last year, influenced by a high-pressure system that steered storms away from the coast.
