Atlantic hurricane season starts today: Here’s everything you need to know
The first name on this year’s list is Alex, which may develop soon
NHC leaders gather as hurricane season begins, talk preps for potential tropical development
Hurricane season is here, and NOAA makes it official. FOX Weather multimedia journalist Brandy Campbell is at the National Hurricane Center with the report.
The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season begins Wednesday, and the first storm of the season could develop very soon.
Leaders at the National Hurricane Center are asking Americans to prepare for the landfall of a tropical storm or hurricane now.
"The last 100 years, every storm that's hit this country – 150 mph or greater – was a tropical storm or less three days out," said NHC director Ken Graham. "(You) have to prepare because the big ones happen quickly."
The 2021 season was the third most-active season on record with 21 named storms, and forecasters are predicting another busy season this year. The NHC forecast calls for 14-21 named storms. Six to 10 of those are forecast to become hurricanes, and three to six of those hurricanes are forecast to become major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher).
Here's a rundown of everything you need to know about hurricane season, which runs until Nov. 30.
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This year's names
This year’s alphabetical list of 21 names begins with Alex and ends with Walter. Only the letters Q, U, X, Y and Z are not covered by the list.
If all the names on this year’s list are used, a supplemental list of 21 names will be used to name additional storms.
Coming soon
The first name on that list might be taken this week, as forecasters are watching a disturbance near Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It has a 70% chance of development within two days and an 80% chance within five days.
Forecasters are also watching a disturbance near the Bahamas that has a low chance of development.
FOX Weather hurricane specialist Bryan Norcross has more analysis of the system here.
First in a while
The 2022 season marks the first time in eight years that there has not been a preseason storm. Last year, Tropical Storm Ana spun around the central Atlantic for a couple of days in late May. In 2020, Tropical Storm Arthur moved along the southeastern U.S. coast in mid-May. Check out a recap of all our preseason storms since 2015 here.
The tracks of pre-June 1 named storms in the Atlantic from 2015 through 2021. (FOX Weather)
What to expect in June
The first month of the hurricane season is generally quiet. However, storms that do form during the month usually form close to the U.S. coast, whether that be in the Gulf of Mexico or off the East Coast. Take a closer look at the norms for June here.
This map shows where tropical cyclone activity tends to occur during June. The data are shown as the combined number of tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes whose centers pass within 125 miles of a point on the map during a 100-year period. The analysis is based on data from the 72-year period from 1950 to 2021 but normalized to 100 years. (FOX Weather)
When’s the peak?
Tropical activity picks up as the season approaches its middle, with the bulk of named storms and hurricanes forming in August and September. The peak date is Sept. 10. You can find a detailed analysis of the peak season here.
The official hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin (the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico) is from June 1 to Nov. 30. As seen in the graph above, the peak of the season is Sept. 10. However, deadly hurricanes can occur anytime in the hurricane season. (FOX Weather)
How to prepare
If you live along the Atlantic or Gulf coasts of the U.S., you should prepare now for the possibility of a landfalling tropical storm or hurricane. This includes building an emergency kit, checking your insurance policies to make sure your property is covered and creating an evacuation plan. You should also know what you’ll do with your pets in the event of an evacuation.
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We’ve put together some helpful guides for each of these aspects of hurricane preparedness. They are linked below.
- How to build a disaster kit
- How to save money on disaster supplies
- Check your insurance policies now
- Create an evacuation plan
- Make a plan for your pets
Prepare your evacuation plan now for hurricane season
FOX 13 Tampa Bay reporter Elizabeth Fry reports on why it is important to prepare your evacuation plan now for hurricane season.
Stay informed
It's important that you have a reliable source of information about any tropical systems that develop. FOX Weather will be extensively covering hurricane season, and the FOX Weather app is a great resource to keep you informed and has a 3D radar that you can use to track storms. The free FOX Weather livestream is also available 24/7 on the website, app and on your favorite streaming platform. The FOX Weather Update podcast also provides weather information for the entire country.
Your local FOX station is also a great resource when a storm is threatening. Their meteorologists and news teams will provide you with the latest information and forecasts for your area. Here is a list of some FOX stations that cover the Atlantic and Gulf coasts:
More video
With the official start of hurricane season, NHC begins preparations for an active season
Jamie Rhome, Deputy Director for the National Hurricane Center, joins FOX Weather Sky Dome as hurrricane season officially began on Wednesday, June 1.
Americares kicking off efforts to ready its essential supplies for hurricane season
Americares is kicking off efforts to ready its essential medicines, medical supplies, hygiene kits and more for the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season at its 55,000-square-foot Global Distribution Center.
Tropical system expected to bring heavy rain to FL later this week
The consensus is that Florida will feel the effects of the system, whatever form it takes, very late in the week or over the weekend. Heavy rain is looking increasingly likely.