2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook

The Weather Channel released its first 2013 Atlantic hurricane season outlook on April 8, 2013, calling for another active season.

The forecast calls for a total of 16 named storms, 9 of which are expected to become hurricanes, including 5 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale).
These forecast numbers are above the long-term average from 1950-2012 (12 named storms, 7 hurricanes, 3 major hurricanes) and slightly above the averages for the current active era from 1995-2012 (15 named storms, 8 hurricanes, 4 major hurricanes).

Overdue for hurricanes are Honolulu, Savannah, San Diego and Tampa. We have been lucky the last few years here in Florida but must remember that eventually the law of averages will catch up with us. In the past our state has taken quite a beating from hurricanes. The 1935 Labor Day hurricane, which devastated the Florida Keys, killed 600. Andrew in 1992 leveled much of Homestead and caused $26.5 billion in damages to all the areas impacted.

Hurricanes bring winds that can exceed 125 miles per hour. You can also expect heavy rain and flooding. Any or all of these storm effects can which damage trees. Although some damage can be seen immediately, some effects of structural damage to trees may not become apparent for years. Downed or weakened trees can be hazardous to people, buildings, and power lines.

 Storm damaged trees should be assessed for risk as soon as possible after a hurricane or other major storm. Signs that a tree could be a hazard include new cracks in the lower trunk or large stems split from the tree. Major roots can be severed or broken, and the tree may be partially uprooted. There may be a noticeable tree lean attributable to the storm. You may see large limbs broken and most of tree's crown damaged.

If one or more of these conditions are present, consult with a professional arborist as soon as possible. Until the tree damage is addressed, stay clear and keep vehicles and other moveable assets out of range. This is the time to call the experts at Zimmerman Tree Service for hurricane storm protection in South Florida, 561-968-1045.

Three straight Atlantic hurricane seasons have had 19 storms.  Only seven Atlantic seasons have had more hurricanes than last season's 10 hurricanes.  Among the four U.S. landfalls were the most intense tropical cyclone to make a U.S. landfall prior to June 1 (Tropical Storm Beryl), a soaking Tropical Storm Debby, a painfully slow Hurricane Isaac, and one of the most destructive storms in U.S. history, Superstorm Sandy. (Sandy became a "post-tropical" system shortly before landfall.)

UPDATE: Colorado State University (CSU) released its forecast for the 2013 hurricane season on April 10, 2012. Similar to The Weather Channel forecast, CSU expects an above-average hurricane season. The team is predicting a total of 18 named storms, 9 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher).

Zimmerman Tree Service provides plant care, lawn, insect control, pruning, stump grinding, exotic invasive removal, mangrove, lethal yellowing treament, pine revitalization, coconut palm injections, blend fertilizers, disease, cabling, bracing, lightning protection and total plant health care in Palm Beach County, Boca Raton, West Palm, Wellington, Manalapan, Green Acres, Lake Worth, Delray Beach, Jupiter, Lantana, Boynton Beach Tree and the rest of Palm Beach County, as well as Broward and Martin Counties in South Florida. Call 561-968-1045