NOAA has released it’s outlook for the Central Pacific Hurricane Season which begins on June 1. The Central Pacific Hurricane Basin surrounds Hawaii and extends from the equator north between 140°W and 180°W. Within this basin, the 2021 Outlook calls for a near normal or below normal number of tropical cyclones.
While a typical season has 4-5 tropical cyclones, this latest outlook suggests an 80% chance of a near to below normal season.
BREAKING:
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center is forecasting a 80% chance of NEAR to BELOW-NORMAL tropical cyclone activity around Hawaii in the upcoming season. A typical season has 4-5 storms in the basin.#HIwx pic.twitter.com/LQCoqSo2Mz— the Weatherboy (@theWeatherboy) May 19, 2021
“Regardless of the number of tropical cyclones predicted, this outlook serves as a reminder to everyone in the State of Hawaii to prepare now,” said Chris Brenchley, director of NOAA’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. “Learn about hurricane hazards and where to find our forecasts, then make a plan so that you and your family stay healthy and safe.”
“We can hope for zero storms, but we can’t plan for that, ” added Brenchley.
While storms that form and are named in the Eastern Pacific and move into the Central Pacific keep their National Hurricane Center-issued names, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center rotates through their own list of local names. Unlike the name lists in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific that begin with the letter “A” each season, Hawaii simply picks off where they last let off. The next storm names to be used in the Central Pacific basin would be Hone followed by Iona, Keli, Lala, Moke, and Nolo.
NOAA’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) Director, Chris Brenchley, described to us today how his Honolulu team coordinates, collaborates, & even swaps staff with Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) to keep America #HurricaneStrong?@NWSHonolulu pic.twitter.com/W1WM2EeXeC
— the Weatherboy (@theWeatherboy) May 23, 2019
Hawaii Governor David Ige issued a proclamation calling-out the importance of preparing for hurricane season. Through it, Ige says a week will be dedicated to bring attention to hurricane preparedness ahead of the season. “Now is the time to re-activate your hurricane preparedness and really be prepared should a hurricane hit,” the Governor told reporters in today’s seasonal outlook briefing.
