AUSTIN (KXAN) — Hurricane season started several weeks ago; however, the Atlantic Basin remains quiet. There have been a few tropical waves, but several factors are keeping any tropical cyclones from developing. Why haven’t there been any storms so far?
Saharan Dust
Multiple plumes of Saharan Dust have swept from Africa, across the Atlantic Basin and the Gulf of America this month, carried by trade winds.
The dust stabilizes the atmosphere and suppresses tropical development. Saharan dust is forecast to remain over portions of the Atlantic Basin for at least the next week.
Tropical Climatology: June
In June, tropical systems usually form closer to the western Atlantic, the Gulf, and northern portions of the Caribbean sea.
Hurricane Season Outlook
The delay in tropical cyclone development will likely not limit the number of named storms. Meteorologists at NOAA forecast a 60% chance of an above-normal season with a range of 13-19 named storms.
As of June 18, the National Hurricane Center is forecasting no tropical cyclone activity in the next seven days. The first named storm in the Atlantic Basin will be Andrea.