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Central Pacific Hurricane Season Outlook Released

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Hurricane Hector approaches Hawaii. Image: NOAA
Hurricane Hector approaches Hawaii. in 2018. Image: NOAA




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 2020 Outlook calls for near normal or below normal number of tropical cyclones.

While a typical season has 4-5 tropical cyclones, this latest outlook suggests 2-6 with a 75% chance of a near to below normal season and only a 2% chance of an above normal season.

 

“This year we will likely see less activity in the Central Pacific region compared to more active seasons,” said Gerry Bell, Ph.D., NOAA’s lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at the Climate Prediction Center. “Less activity is predicted since ocean temperatures are likely to be near-average in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean where hurricanes form, and because El Nino is not present to increase the activity.”

“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. “Learn about hurricane hazards and where to find our forecasts, then make a plan so that you and your family stay healthy and safe.”




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.