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3227 Audley Houston, Texas 77098 Phone: 713-529-3076 Fax: 713-528-3538 E-mail: wrc@wxresearch.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, June 1, 1997
Could it be an active hurricane season for the
Gulf of Mexico in 1997?
HOUSTON - According to research meteorologists Jill F. Hasling and Dr. John C. Freeman of Weather Research Center, the coastline from Louisiana to Mississippi has the highest chance of experiencing a tropical storm or hurricane this year with a 70 percent chance. The next highest risk is the west coast of Florida with a 60 percent chance. This could translate into an active season for the Gulf of Mexico this year - not good news for the coastal cities who have been plagued with above normal rainfall so far this year.
The coasts of both Mexico and Texas have a 40 percent probability of experiencing a storm or hurricane. However, the chances for Texas increase in 1998 to 60 percent and in 1999 to 70 percent. Furthermore in 1999, there is a chance for more than one storm to make landfall along the Texas coast.
The outlook calls for seven named storms in the Atlantic with four reaching hurricane intensity. There is a 30 percent chance of having over 10 storms again this year. There could be storms as early as May and as late as November. Also, there is a 50 percent chance of having a Category 3 or greater hurricane somewhere in the Atlantic. A major hurricane is a storm with maximum sustained winds greater than 114 MPH. In addition to the Gulf Coast, the summary of risk is as follows: Georgia to North Carolina 50 percent; the east coast of Florida, 40 percent and the northeast coast of the United States 30 percent.
Every section of the United States has a chance of experiencing a tropical storm or hurricane each year. This outlook does not say that you will not experience a storm, but rather indicates which section of coastline will most likely experience a storm. The Center has been making these predictions since 1985. In addition to its ongoing research, the Center also provides storm and hurricane information via the Internet through Storm Navigator. This service helps people navigate weather information on the Internet as well as providing detailed storm updates and related information.
