Colorado State researchers predict fewer hurricanes in 2012 season

The 2012 Atlantic basin hurricane season will see reduced activity compared to the 1981-2010 average, the Tropical Meteorological Project of Colorado State University predicts.

In a report released in April, Colorado researchers estimate there will be 10 named storms during the 2012 hurricane season (June 1 to Nov. 30), four hurricanes (median is 6.5) and two major hurricanes (Category 3-4-5).

The probability of U.S. major hurricane landfall is estimated to be about 80% of the long-period average. In addition, researchers forecast that Atlantic basin Net Tropical Cyclone (NTC) activity in 2012 might be approximately 75% of the long-term average.

“The tropical Atlantic has anomalously cooled over the past several months, and it appears that the chances of an El Niño event this summer and fall are relatively high,” Colorado State researchers said in a statement.

“We anticipate a below-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the United States coastline and in the Caribbean. However, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them, and they need to prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted.”