NASA wrapped up one of its largest hurricane research efforts ever last week after nearly two months of flights that broke new ground in the study of tropical cyclones and delivered data that scientists will now be able to analyze for years to com…
Following a suppressed 2002 hurricane season, researchers in Colorado predict Atlantic basin hurricane activity to be well above average in 2003 – including twice as many hurricanes as in the previous year. For their first extended-range forecast for 2003, they predict that 12 named tropical storms will form in the Atlantic basin between June 1 and Nov. 30. Of these, eight will become hurricanes and three are anticipated to evolve into intense hurricanes (Saffir/Simpson category 3-4-5) with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater.