GMT Written by Stephanie Kriner Staff Writer, DisasterRelief.org Renowned hurricane predictor William Gray no longer anticipates a quiet 2001 storm season. He also said there's a good chance of a major hurricane barreling into the U.S. coastline. Gray and his team from Colorado State University typically issue forecasts four times a year. The long-term average from 1950 to 1990 is 9.3 tropical storms, 5.8 hurricanes and 2.2 major hurricanes per year. The hurricane season runs from June 1 to Oct. 30.
Flooding is one of the most dangerous consequences of a hurricane.
There is a 65 percent chance that a hurricane will strike the U.S. coast this year, Gray said. Over the last century, the yearly average stands at 52 percent. Conflicting climate data have made it difficult for Gray to predict this year's activity he has sifted through combating forces for and against a strong season. While El Ni o could cause strong westerly winds that work against hurricanes, warmer water temperatures and barometric pressures in the Atlantic Ocean suggest a more aggressive season. Our statistical calculations are somewhat jumbled.