Hurricane season in the North Atlantic Ocean is counted from 01st June to 30th November. The year 2019 was a very eventful and active season for the Atlantic basin. This was the fourth consecutive season of the above-average frequency of storms. Statistically, the season 2019 was tied with the year 1969 as the most active season ever since 1950. During these years a record number of 18 named storms and 6 hurricanes formed. Blame it on climate change, the increased number of hurricanes is expected in 2020 also. Already the sea surface temperature (SST) of the North Atlantic Ocean is higher than the normal and possesses enormous heat potential to host powerful storms. As per the initial estimates, the year 2020 is expected to churn 14-18 named storms: 7-9 hurricanes and 2-4 major hurricanes. Also, 3-4 hurricanes are likely to make a direct hit on the east coast of the United States or the storms could come dangerously close posing a serious challenge.
There are no official bounds for the season of hurricanes as such. The first named storm 'Andrea' of season 2019 had come up two weeks before the hurricane season began on June 01. The last storm of the season 'Sabastein' nearly reached the margins of a hurricane, but finally fell short of it. The system gained latitude and became an extratropical storm while 370 km northwest of Azores Islands on 24 Nov 2019. This also marked the end of season 2019. Even in 2018, the first named storm 'Alberto' struck Florida on May 25, well before the commencement of scheduled dates of the season. And despite the early start, the first hurricane 'Beryl' did not form until early July in the Caribbean Sea.
Looking at the heat energy of the Atlantic, a possible hat-trick of an early strike is quite likely. The month of March and April popularly considered as 'preparatory phase' need to swing into action to manage these monsters.
