2009 hurricane season forecast

Stock up on extra batteries, batten down the hatches and start investigating impact-resistant building products if you live in nearby areas of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The recently-released 2009 Hurricane Season forecast from the Weather Research Center indicates that the Gulf coast region, from Louisiana to Alabama, has a 70 percent chance this year of experiencing landfall of a tropical storm or hurricane.
“We expect at least seven named storms, with four of these tropical storms intensifying into hurricanes this season,” says Jill Hasling, president of the Weather Research Center in Houston. “We’re forecasting that the season will continually elevate with tropical storm activity and we’re predicting that August, September and October will be the most likely months for extremely active situations.
“With Hurricane Ike in our own backyard last year, we were able to witness first-hand the significant damage severe weather can do. At the Weather Research Center, we’re fortunate to have Simonton StormBreaker Plus windows installed throughout our facility. Hopefully, we won’t see a damaging storm system like that again in our area, but if we do, I’m confident the impact-resistant windows will help protect our facility.”
Experts at Simonton Windows advise homeowners in coastal areas to strongly consider investing in impact-resistant products, such as windows, roofing, entry doors and garage doors.
“Impact-resistant products are tested to withstand severe weather and flying debris that could damage a home,” said Rebecca Taylor, coastal products manager for Simonton Windows. “When severe weather is forecast, it’s important to always follow the direction of local authorities. That may mean evacuating a home with very little time to secure it.
“With impact-resistant windows and doors, there’s no need to board up windows with plywood or install expensive and unattractive hurricane-resistant shutters. (The) products are designed to withstand severe and damaging weather conditions. The result is lasting beauty that helps protect your home 24/7.”
Outlook for 2009 Hurricane Season
According to Hasling, the Orbital Cyclone Strike Index (OCSI) forecast includes heavy activity for the Atlantic. OCSI was developed in 1984 to indicate which section of the U.S. coastline has the highest risk of experiencing a tropical storm or hurricane.
The OCSI has a proven 88 percent accuracy rate. For 2009, the OCSI forecast includes:
COASTAL AREAWRC OCSI
Louisiana to Alabama 70%
West Florida 60%
Georgia to N. Carolina 50%
Mexico 40%
Texas 40%
East Florida 30%
East coast of U.S. 30%
Other 2009 predictors from the OCSI from the Weather Research Center include:
OCSI Forecasts
Number of Named Storms: 7
Number intensifying into Hurricanes: 4
Number of Hurricane Days: 7
Number of Tropical Storm Days: 47
U.S. Landfalls: 3
Cat 3 or higher Storms in the Atlantic: 50%
Founded in 1987, the non-profit Weather Research Center manages a worldwide forecasting operation and provides groundbreaking research to scientists around the world.
Meteorologists provide tropical cyclone advisories worldwide, severe weather advisories, marine forecasts, long-range outlooks, environmental studies and forensic meteorology services.
Weather Research Center provides research into tropical cyclones as well as real-time weather forecasts. WRC can also provide you with an assessment of your severe weather and tropical weather plans. For more information about The John C. Freeman Weather Museum at Weather Research Center and the full 2009 Hurricane Season Forecast, call (713) 529-3076 or log on to WXResearch.org.