FORECASTERS REDUCE 2018 HURRICANE EXPECTATIONS

Two of the most established hurricane forecasting teams have reduced their expectations for activity during the hurricane season ahead. At the official start of the hurricane season, the teams at both Tropical Storm Risk and Colorado State University (CSU) have reduced their forecasts for the season. Tropical Storm Risk has dramatically reduced its expectations for the 2018 hurricane season following recent cooling of sea-surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic. The London-based forecasting unit now expects a quiet season, with activity 50% below the long-term norm. The CSU team has revised its forecasts to expect a near-normal season with 14 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.