Dr. Phillip J. Klotzbach and Dr. William Gray of Colorado State University (CSU) have issued their annual Hurricane Season Forecast calling for below average activity for 2014.
The hurricane forecast calls for a total of nine named storms, three hurricanes and one major hurricane (Category 3 or higher) for the Atlantic Ocean. This forecast is below the long-term average of 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes each season.
CSU tropical forecasters consider two main reasons for the lower than average 2014 hurricane season:
- Cooler-than-average water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean.
- Likelihood of at least a moderate El Nino developing later this summer or fall
