2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season Fast Facts
Posted: May 11, 2015 11:37 AM EST
Updated: May 12, 2015 3:39 PM EST
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(CNN) — Here is a look at the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season.
Facts:
The 2015 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The areas covered include the North Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.
The National Weather Service defines a hurricane as “an intense tropical weather system with well-defined circulation and sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher.”
Hurricanes are rated according to intensity on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
The 1-5 scale estimates potential property damage.
A Category 3 or higher is considered a major hurricane.
The National Hurricane Center advises preparedness:
A hurricane watch indicates the possibility that a region could experience hurricane conditions within 48 hours.
A hurricane warning indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 36 hours.
Predictions:
April 9, 2015 – The Tropical Meteorology Project from Colorado State University predicts that the “2015 Atlantic basin hurricane season will be one of the least active seasons since the middle of the 20th century.” They predict seven named storms and three hurricanes.
2015 Atlantic Storm Names:
Tropical Storm Ana
May 9, 2015 – Tropical Storm Ana develops off the coast of South Carolina.
May 10, 2015 – Makes landfall at 6:00 a.m. ET just north of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and later is downgraded to a tropical depression.
Bill
Claudette
Danny
Erika
Fred
Grace
Henri
Ida
Joaquin
Kate
Larry
Mindy
Nicholas
Odette
Peter
Rose
Sam
Teresa
Victor
Wanda
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2015 HURRICANE FACTS. SEASON TO BEGIN EARLY THIS YEAR, WITH NAMES OF STORMS