The 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season forecast is for near to above normal activity.  With an indication of that outlook arriving Friday with the development of the first named storm of the season, Alberto.

 

Also released this year's Hurricane Outlook for the Eastern and Central Pacific Basins.  USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey said it's a similar tropical storm forecast for the Pacific as it is for the Atlantic.

 

“For the Eastern Pacific we are also expecting an 80% likelihood of near or above normal tropical activity. We are also expecting an above average season generally speaking in the Central Pacific Basin, and Hawaii is included in that Basin. That occasionally can become a concern."

 

And like the Atlantic Basin, near or above average sea surface temperatures, and an ENSO-neutral climate pattern, between La Nina and El Nino, is behind the expected near to above normal tropical storm activity in the Pacific.

 

 

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