2021 Hurricane Season Projected to Get Even More Active

Disney World already had its first hurricane scare of the season with Hurricane Elsa last month.

It can get really stormy at Disney World!

Elsa was the fifth named hurricane in the Atlantic this year, and experts are saying that we should expect more storms to follow than they initially projected.

According to CNN, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced that this year’s hurricane season will continue to be more stormy than average. Forecasters said they’re now 65% confident — up from their previous 60% — that the season will be above-average. This leaves “only a 10% probability of a below-normal season and a 25% probability of a normal season”

©NOAAThe NOAA is projecting between 15 and 21 named storms — winds of 39MPH and higher — when the average over the last 20 years has been 14 named storms. They’re expecting 7 to 10 hurricanes (winds at 74MPH and higher) and 3 to 5 major hurricanes (winds at 111MPH and higher). Usually, the Atlantic will see just 7 hurricanes and 3 major ones. So far this season, there have been 5 named storms and 1 hurricane.

Dark Clouds over Disney World

Currently, experts are monitoring two active disturbances in the Atlantic that could develop into storms after a period of low activity recently.

Aug 4, 2pm EDT: The Tropics are getting more active with two primary disturbances. One is several hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles, and the other should emerge off W Africa late tomorrow. It's time to regularly monitor the latest forecasts at https://t.co/tW4KeFW0gB! pic.twitter.com/lLltKQi5gT

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 4, 2021

Even though this year is expected to be above-average in terms of storms, experts are saying it still won’t be as bad as last year’s season. In 2020, the named storms were so numerous that the entire alphabet was used, and additional names had to be used as well. Since Atlantic ocean temperatures are expected to be cooler this year, the chance of that many storms again is lower. It’s best to be prepared, though! If you live in an area that’s susceptible to hurricanes, make sure you know your evacuation plan and have your hurricane preparedness kit ready.

Keep following DFB, and we’ll let you know about the weather conditions in and around Disney World!

Click Here to Read 8 Reader Tips for Riding Out a Hurricane in Disney World!

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