Meteorologist Bob Robichaud said Thursday during a briefing that much depends on whether this season's El Nino - characterized by above-average water temperatures over the Pacific Ocean - has its usual calming impact on the Atlantic waters.
On the other hand, the eastern Atlantic is already warmer than usual this year, with meteorologists noticing temperature increases of between 1 to 2 C above the average of the last 30 years.He said most research indicates warmer Atlantic waters make storms stronger, and more able to withstand El Nino's wind shear.
Earlier on Thursday, the U.S.-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also predicted an average season, calling for 12 to 17 named storms, five to nine hurricanes and one to four major hurricanes, which would generate winds in excess of 177 km/h. “The prediction is really for a season, in terms of the number of named storms, which is close to average for a typical hurricane season,” he said.