Record Hurricane Season Expected to Get Worse

August 24, 2005

Record Hurricane Season Expected to Get Worse
August 24, 2005 – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration raised its 2005 hurricane outlook earlier this month, forecasting an additional 11 to 14 tropical storms from now through Nov., totaling 18-20 storms. Nine to 11 of these are expected to become hurricanes.

These updated predictions come after NOAA experts found optimal conditions for hurricane development, including unusually warm ocean surface temperatures and low wind shear. The agency says the season will peak between Aug. and Nov.

A tropical storm watch is in effect Wednesday for the southeast Florida coast and parts of the Florida Keys. The watch includes Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. If the depression reaches tropical storm status, it will be called Katrina, becoming the 11th named storm of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season.