All Eyes on the Atlantic as 2023 Hurricane Season Begins

From June to November, weather experts in North America track "hurricane season." This is when warm temperatures make huge storms more likely to develop in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean.  

What about 2023?  

Experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) think it will be a "near normal" year. This means NOAA expects between 12 and 17 storms (winds over 39 mph). Among these, 5 to 9 could turn into hurricanes with winds over 74 mph. And 1 to 4 of those could be major hurricanes. That means they have winds over 111 mph.  

Even a "normal" year can be dangerous. For example, last year was seen as typical. But, Hurricane Ian hit Florida hard in September. It caused $114 billion in damage.   

To keep track of big storms and hurricanes, NOAA gives them names. They use these names again every six years. But if a hurricane causes a lot of damage, they retire it. Last year, they retired the name Ian. The names Katrina and Iris are also not used any more. Here are the names for possible storms this year: 

Arlene (ar-LEEN), Bret (bret), Cindy (SIN-dee), Don (dahn), Emily (EH-mih-lee), Franklin (FRANK-lin), Gert (gert), Harold (HAIR-uld), Idalia (ee-DAL-ya), Jose (ho-ZAY), Katia (KAH-tyah), Lee (lee), Margot (MAR-go), Nigel (NY-juhl), Ophelia (o-FEEL-ya), Philippe (fee-LEEP), Rina (REE-nuh), Sean (shawn), Tammy (TAM-ee), Vince (vinss), and Whitney (WHIT-nee).

NOAA uses the names in alphabetical order for each new storm. The first storm, Arlene, has already happened. But it disappeared before it could hit land.  

Reflect: What are some ways individuals, communities, and/or governments can prepare for and respond to hurricanes?