Slightly above average activity predicted for 2017 Hurricane Season

Predictions from various weather forecast institutions suggest that there will be “slightly above average activity” for the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

Ronald Jackson, Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), acknowledged the above recently, as he called on CDEMA Participating States, to fully engage their disaster preparedness systems as well as re-examine their disaster response mechanisms, to ensure greater levels of resilience. Jackson’s comment came during CDEMA’s annual press conference to discuss the 2017 Hurricane Season, which was held at CDEMA Headquarters in Lower Estate, St. Michael.

“The 2017 Hurricane Season certainly has now started. It started on June 1 (Thursday) and we have the predictions coming out of the various forecast institutions, which suggest that there is likely to be a slightly above average activity for this season,” Jackson stated.

“Colorado State University is reporting 11 named storms, with four of them to become hurricanes and two to be category three or above and this is below what is typically the historic average,” he added.

“The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is now predicting 11 to 17, with five to nine becoming hurricanes and two to four being above category three and over and this is above average,” he continued.

“The Weather Channel is suggesting 14 named storms, seven of them becoming hurricanes and three category three or above and this is also above what would be the historic average,” he further commented.

He also made mention of the National Hurricane Centre, noting that when looking at their 50-year average, they are predicting 12 with six hurricanes and three above category three.

“What this is certainly saying, is that if you look at all, save one, they are expecting a baseline forecast above average. But what is important for us to remember... is that for us in the Caribbean, it could be one storm, it could be a Tropical Depression, as part of the genesis and development of a storm that could certainly cause us problems within the Caribbean, as we have seen from periods of extensive rainfall,” Jackson pointed out.

As such, he noted that CDEMA is advocating for member states to thoroughly examine their preparedness activities. The Agency is also calling for the passage of key legislation and the accompanying regulations in relation to disaster preparedness, to advance disaster resilience in the region. (RSM)