Fewer Hurricanes Predicted For The 2014 Season

The Northern Atlantic Hurricane Season officially began on June 1 and is expected to end on November 30, with it's "peak" occurring in late August through September. While the general consensus among the world's leading meteorologists and climatologists is that hurricanes will become larger and more frequent as the global climate warms, we should see fewer hurricanes this season compared to previous seasons.

"We anticipate a below-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the United States coastline and in the Caribbean," said Dr. Phillip J. Klotzbach and Dr. William Gray of Colorado University. "In addition, the tropical Atlantic has anomalously cooled over the past few months," they added.

2014 Hurricane Season: What To Expect

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that North American will see between 8 to 13 storms which are large enough to merit a name. Roughly half of these storms, 3 to 6, will turn into hurricanes with 74 miles per hour (mph) winds or higher. And lastly, the NOAA predicts that we'll see one or two major hurricanes -- category 3, 4 or 5 with minimum wind speeds of 111 mph.

September is generally considered the peak time of hurricane season in the U.S. Of course, August and October are also prime times for hurricane activity, as a total of 74 hurricanes have made landfall in August and 51 in October.

It's important to note that hurricane forecasting is in no means an "exact science." While recent advancements in technology and screening have given scientists a better view at what to expect from upcoming hurricane seasons, there are a countless number of factors that can through these estimates off course.

2014 Hurricane Names:

• Arthur
• Bertha
• Cristobal
• Dolly
• Edouard
• Fay
• Gonzalo
• Hanna
• Isaias
• Josephine
• Kyle
• Laura
• Marco
• Nana
• Omar
• Paulette
• Rene
• Sally
• Teddy
• Vicky
• Wilfred

Hurricane Season Preparation Tips

Being that we're only a week into the 2014 hurricane season, there's still time to make the necessary preparations so you and your family are better prepared in the event of a major hurricane.

Here are some simple ways you can prepare for the 2014 hurricane season:

• Create an evacuation plan for you and your family.
• Have a fist-aid kit accessible in your home.
• Purchase a hand-cranked weather radio.
• Keep a minimum of 1 weeks worth of food and water.
• Create an emergency supply bag with flashlights, batteries, waterproof matches, a thermal blanket and flares.
• Have a backup route planned in case the primary route of your region is closed and/or heavily congested with traffic.