HALIFAX, May 25, 2017 /CNW/ - Timely and accurate forecasts are important to Canadians, especially when preparing for severe weather events.

The Canadian Hurricane Centre is encouraging Canadians to prepare for the 2017 hurricane season. The season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, when the waters of the Atlantic Ocean are warm enough to produce tropical cyclones.

The United States' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's seasonal outlook, released earlier today, predicts an active season with a 70 percent likelihood of 11 to 17 named storms, 5 to 9 hurricanes, and up to 2 to 4 major hurricanes for this season. Today, the Canadian Hurricane Centre put this seasonal forecast into perspective for Canadians.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that hurricane activity in the North Atlantic Ocean, this year, is likely to be above normal (45 percent) or near-normal (35 percent). Regardless of the number of storms forecast for the entire Atlantic Basin, the Canadian Hurricane Centre responds, on average, to 4 or 5 tropical cyclone events each year, with 1 or 2 of those affecting Canadian soil and another 2 or 3 threatening offshore waters.

Typically, hurricanes are of more concern in Canadian waters, later in the season; however, the Canadian Hurricane Centre monitors the Atlantic Ocean year‑round for any tropical or tropical‑like cyclone that could pose a threat to Canada or its waters.

Quotes

"2017 marks the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Canadian Hurricane Centre. During this time, our highly trained hurricane-forecast staff have issued more than 2100 weather statements and warnings, making sure that Canadians have the most accurate and timely information on which to base decisions."
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"While it's predicted that this year will be an above-normal or normal season, it's important to remember that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it a bad season. That's why we're reminding Canadians that it's time to start preparing for hurricane season."
– Bob Robichaud, Warning Preparedness Meteorologist 

Quick facts

  • Canadians can prepare for hurricane season by assembling emergency kits and readying their homes and properties (visit the Get Prepared website) and by following Environment and Climate Change Canada's hurricane bulletins online or through local media.
  • This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Canadian Hurricane Centre. Created to provide a Canada-focused source of accurate and timely hurricane information, the centre has issued more than 2000 tropical-cyclone information bulletins, providing critical weather information to weather-sensitive businesses and the general public.
  • In 2016, the Canadian Hurricane Centre issued 44 hurricane statements about 6 tropical cyclones. For the 2016 season, 15 named storms formed in the Atlantic Basin, 7 of which became hurricanes, and 3 became major hurricanes. An unnamed depression also formed. The number of named storms and hurricanes in 2016 was above the long-term averages of 12 and 6, respectively. The season total of major hurricanes matched the long-term average of 3.

Related product

Tropical cyclone season summary for 2016

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page

Environment and Natural Resources in Canada's Facebook page

 

SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada

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