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Hurricane season over, for now
30/11/2005 15:24 - (SA)
Miami - Marking the conclusion of the busiest Atlantic hurricane season on record, US experts warned on Tuesday that next year could be just as bad.
"I'd like to foretell that next year will be calmer, but I can't," said Conrad Lautenbacher, who heads the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
"Historical trends say the atmosphere patterns and water temperatures are likely to force another active season upon us," he said at a news conference.
Hurricane hyperactivity could continue in the Atlantic basin for years to come, the experts said.
"Because we are in an active era, it's important to recognise that with a greater number of hurricanes come increasing odds of one striking land," National Weather Service Director David Johnson.
As he spoke, the National Hurricane Centre announced the formation in the mid-Atlantic of Tropical Storm Epsilon, indicating the record-breaking six-month season was now likely to extend beyond its official end on Wednesday.
Of the record 26 tropical storms that formed over the Atlantic since the season started on June 1, an unprecedented 13 became hurricanes.
Another record was set with three of the hurricanes ranking at category five, the highest on the Saffir-Simpson intensity scale.
"This year's season was indeed unprecedented, it's been six long months, said Lautenbacher, a retired US Navy vice admiral.
Max Mayfield, who heads the Miami-based NHC warned residents in hurricane-prone areas to get ready now for next year's battle against the elements.
"Everybody needs a plan," Mayfield said in Miami.
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