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Template:Infobox hurricane season active The 2006 Atlantic hurricane season is an ongoing event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It started June 1, 2006, and will last until November 30, 2006. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin.
One system, Tropical Storm Zeta from the Template:Tcseason, continued through early January.
Seasonal forecasts
Forecasts of hurricane activity are issued before each hurricane season by noted hurricane experts Philip J. Klotzbach, Dr. William M. Gray, and their associates at Colorado State University; and separately by NOAA forecasters.
Klotzbach's team (formerly led by Dr. Gray) defined the average number of storms per season (1950 to 2000) as 9.6 tropical storms, 5.9 hurricanes, and 2.3 major hurricanes (storms exceeding Category 3 strength in the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale). A normal season, as defined by NOAA, has 6 to 14 named storms, with 4 to 8 of those reaching hurricane strength, and 1 to 3 major hurricanes.[1][2]
| Source | Date | Named storms |
Hurricanes | Major hurricanes |
| CSU | Average (1950–2000)[1] | 9.6 | 5.9 | 2.3 |
| NOAA | Average[3] | 6–14 | 4–8 | 1–3 |
| Record high activity | 28 | 15 | 8 | |
| Record low activity | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
| CSU | 5 December 2005 | 17 | 9 | 5 |
| CSU | 4 April 2006 | 17 | 9 | 5 |
| NOAA | 22 May 2006 | 13–16 | 8–10 | 4–6 |
| CSU | 31 May 2006 | 17 | 9 | 5 |
| Actual activity | - | - | - | |
Pre-season forecasts
On December 5, 2005, Dr. Gray's team issued its first extended-range forecast for the 2006 season, predicting a well above-average season (17 named storms, 9 hurricanes, 5 of Category 3 or higher).[1]
Similar to the 2005 season, the team predicted a high potential for at least one major hurricane to directly impact the United States: the forecast indicates an 81% chance of at least one major hurricane striking the U.S. mainland (including a 64% chance of at least one major hurricane strike on the East Coast of the United States including the Florida peninsula, and a 47% chance of at least one major hurricane strike on the Gulf Coast of the United States from the Florida Panhandle westward). In addition, the potential for major hurricane activity in the Caribbean was above average. A few months later, on April 4, 2006, Dr. Gray issued another forecast that reaffirmed the forecast previously made in December.[4]
On May 22, 2006, NOAA released their forecasts for the 2006 season. They predict 13 to 16 named storms, with 8 to 10 becoming hurricanes, and 4 to 6 becoming major hurricanes.[5]
On May 31, 2006, Dr. Gray's team released their final pre-season forecast for 2006, confirming their previous numbers.[6]
Storms
Tropical Storm Zeta
On December 30, 2005, Tropical Storm Zeta formed as a part of the Template:Tcseason. However, it lasted into 2006 and is one of only two recorded tropical cyclones in the north Atlantic to ever have existed in two different calendar years, the other being Hurricane Alice of the 1954 season. Zeta reached its peak strength of 65 mph (100 km/h) on January 2, 2006, and remained a tropical storm until January 6 when it became a remnant low. Zeta dissipated soon after.[7]
Recent timeline of events
June
- June 1
-
- The 2006 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins.
2006 storm names
The following names will be used for named storms that form in the North Atlantic in 2006. The names not retired from this list will be used again in the 2012 season. The list is the same as the 2000 season's list except for Kirk, which replaced Keith. Names that have not been assigned are marked in gray.
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While it had been reported that a new backup list would be chosen (after it was first used in 2005), the National Hurricane Center reported in its first tropical weather outlook for the season that it would again use names from the Greek alphabet should the main list run out. It would again start with Alpha rather than skipping the five names already used and starting with Eta.
Retirement
Names to be retired, if any, will be announced by the World Meteorological Organization in the spring of 2007.
See also
References
- ^ a b c Philip J. Klotzbach and William M. Gray (2005-12-06). "Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and U.S. Landfall Strike Probability for 2006". Colorado State University. Retrieved 2006-05-22.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help)CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ Landsea, Chris (2005). "AOML Frequently Asked Questions, E10". NOAA. Retrieved 2006-05-22.
- ^ NOAA (2006-04-13). "NOAA Reviews Record-Setting 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2006-04-26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help)CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ Philip J. Klotzbach and William M. Gray (2006-04-04). "Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and U.S. Landfall Strike Probability for 2006". Colorado State University. Retrieved 2006-05-22.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help)CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ NOAA (2006). "NOAA Predicts Very Active 2006 North Atlantic Hurricane Season". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2006-05-22.
- ^ Philip J. Klotzbach and William M. Gray (2006-05-31). "Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and U.S. Landfall Strike Probability for 2006". Colorado State University. Retrieved 2006-05-31.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help)CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ National Hurricane Center. "Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Zeta" (PDF). NOAA. Retrieved May 1.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)
External links
- National Hurricane Center's Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook - updated four times daily
- National Hurricane Center
- National Hurricane Center's 2006 Advisory Archive
- Flash Hurricane Tracker - track active and archived hurricanes.