Tuesday, May 12, 2015

2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season Fast Facts

CNN Library

Updated 4:08 PM ET, Tue May 12, 2015

Hurricanes: What you don't know 01:26

(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.

Preparing for a hurricane 01:14

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Hurricane S.E. Cupp 01:07

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Last Look: Can you control a hurricane? 01:29

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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.