Atlantic storms on the way
An intense Atlantic hurricane season is forecast with eight storms expected to develop in the region this year, according to Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorology Project.
Four of the eight predicted events are likely to develop into intense storms.
The report also reveals a 69% probability a major hurricane will affect the US coastline while a storm is also likely to hit the Caribbean.
The average level of activity is 5.9 hurricanes, incorporating 2.3 intense storms. The Atlantic hurricane season extends from June 1 to November 30.
But reinsurer Aon Re has criticised seasonal forecasts, claiming researchers have overestimated storm activity in recent seasons. It says five-year forecasts prove more accurate than yearly analysis.
An 11% increase in natural catastrophes last year cost insurers almost $US30 billion ($32 billion) as the number of natural disasters increased 13% to 960, the highest level for more than three decades, according to a report released last week by Munich Re.
Four of the eight predicted events are likely to develop into intense storms.
The report also reveals a 69% probability a major hurricane will affect the US coastline while a storm is also likely to hit the Caribbean.
The average level of activity is 5.9 hurricanes, incorporating 2.3 intense storms. The Atlantic hurricane season extends from June 1 to November 30.
But reinsurer Aon Re has criticised seasonal forecasts, claiming researchers have overestimated storm activity in recent seasons. It says five-year forecasts prove more accurate than yearly analysis.
An 11% increase in natural catastrophes last year cost insurers almost $US30 billion ($32 billion) as the number of natural disasters increased 13% to 960, the highest level for more than three decades, according to a report released last week by Munich Re.