Next year, we will likely switch from 1981-2010 averages to 1991-2020 averages in the meteorological field. This will have a significantly effect on how "averages" are determined, such as the averages for Atlantic hurricane activity. It should be noted, though, that the 1991-2020 average is heavily biased towards an ongoing active era of Atlantic hurricane activity. If these thresholds are indeed followed, below normal seasons will become extremely common once the Atlantic active era does end.
Assuming no changes are made in post-analysis, the new averages would be as follows: 14.4 named storms, 7.2 hurricanes and 3.2 major hurricanes for the Atlantic. Pending TCRs, the mean ACE would increase to 122.3, and the median ACE would increase even more to 127.7. I haven't done these calculations for the eastern Pacific yet.
For the Atlantic basin, the hyperactive ACE threshold will rise all the way from 153 to 210.6. This will make hyperactive seasons by the original definition of 165% of median ACE extremely rare, as only 8 seasons since 1851 will meet the new criteria. That means, a season could have much as 209 ACE but it would be considered "above normal" if the same criteria is used. Very intense seasons like 1969, 1996, and 2010 would lose their hyperactive status.
The "above normal" threshold (120% of the median ACE) would be raised all the way from 111 to 153. The new "above average" threshold would be very close to the old "hyperactive" threshold. That means, 2016, 2018 and 2019 would now be classified as near-normal seasons, and 2020 - despite a record number of named storms and second-most hurricanes and major hurricanes on record, would only be considered "above normal."
The "below normal" threshold (71.4% of median ACE) would be increased from 66 to 91 ACE, making below-normal seasons much more common, especially during the last inactive era of 1971-1994.
I wonder if NOAA will consider changing the definitions, because a season with 30 named storms, 13 hurricanes, and 6 major hurricanes should be considered "extremely active" despite having "only" 180 ACE.
1991-2020 averages
Moderator: S2k Moderators
Forum rules
The posts in this forum are NOT official forecasts and should not be used as such. They are just the opinion of the poster and may or may not be backed by sound meteorological data. They are NOT endorsed by any professional institution or STORM2K. For official information, please refer to products from the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service.
- CyclonicFury
- Category 5
- Posts: 1975
- Age: 25
- Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2017 12:32 pm
- Location: NC
- Contact:
1991-2020 averages
Last edited by CyclonicFury on Thu Dec 31, 2020 7:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
5 likes
NCSU B.S. in Meteorology Class of 2021. Tropical weather blogger at http://www.cyclonicfury.com. My forecasts and thoughts are NOT official, for official forecasts please consult the National Hurricane Center.
- ElectricStorm
- Category 5
- Posts: 4566
- Age: 23
- Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2019 11:23 pm
- Location: Skiatook, OK / Norman, OK
Re: 1991-2020 averages
How come they don't just take the average from all the years in the historical database? Would that be more accurate then every 3 decades?
0 likes
I am in no way a professional. Take what I say with a grain of salt as I could be totally wrong. Please refer to the NHC, NWS, or SPC for official information.
Boomer Sooner!
Boomer Sooner!
- CyclonicFury
- Category 5
- Posts: 1975
- Age: 25
- Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2017 12:32 pm
- Location: NC
- Contact:
Re: 1991-2020 averages
Weather Dude wrote:How come they don't just take the average from all the years in the historical database? Would that be more accurate then every 3 decades?
I think a 40 or 50 year average would be better for Atlantic hurricane activity because of oscillations like the AMO, but a 30-year average is standard for meteorology.
1 likes
NCSU B.S. in Meteorology Class of 2021. Tropical weather blogger at http://www.cyclonicfury.com. My forecasts and thoughts are NOT official, for official forecasts please consult the National Hurricane Center.
- ElectricStorm
- Category 5
- Posts: 4566
- Age: 23
- Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2019 11:23 pm
- Location: Skiatook, OK / Norman, OK
Re: 1991-2020 averages
CyclonicFury wrote:Weather Dude wrote:How come they don't just take the average from all the years in the historical database? Would that be more accurate then every 3 decades?
I think a 40 or 50 year average would be better for Atlantic hurricane activity because of oscillations like the AMO, but a 30-year average is standard for meteorology.
Yeah 30 makes sense for other areas but for hurricane season I would think the longer period would make more sense. Includes both the active and inactive eras
0 likes
I am in no way a professional. Take what I say with a grain of salt as I could be totally wrong. Please refer to the NHC, NWS, or SPC for official information.
Boomer Sooner!
Boomer Sooner!
- CyclonicFury
- Category 5
- Posts: 1975
- Age: 25
- Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2017 12:32 pm
- Location: NC
- Contact:
Re: 1991-2020 averages
I ran the 1991-2020 normals for the EPAC, and unlike the Atlantic, they were marginally different. In fact, the EPAC averages decrease slightly, and the median EPAC ACE for 1991-2020 is actually lower than the Atlantic median. Granted, these averages may increase slightly depending on what happens for the rest of the season.
1981-2010: 16.7 NS, 8.9 H, 4.3 MH, 132.1 mean ACE, 119.4 median ACE
1991-2020: 16.5 NS, 8.8 H, 4.6 MH, 131.7 mean ACE, 100.5 median ACE
1981-2010: 16.7 NS, 8.9 H, 4.3 MH, 132.1 mean ACE, 119.4 median ACE
1991-2020: 16.5 NS, 8.8 H, 4.6 MH, 131.7 mean ACE, 100.5 median ACE
0 likes
NCSU B.S. in Meteorology Class of 2021. Tropical weather blogger at http://www.cyclonicfury.com. My forecasts and thoughts are NOT official, for official forecasts please consult the National Hurricane Center.
- CyclonicFury
- Category 5
- Posts: 1975
- Age: 25
- Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2017 12:32 pm
- Location: NC
- Contact:
Re: 1991-2020 averages
Now that 2020 is over in UTC, the following will be the 1991-2020 averages for the Atlantic basin:
14.4 named storms ( 2.3 from 1981-2010)
7.2 hurricanes ( 0.8 from 1981-2010)
3.2 major hurricanes ( 0.5 from 1981-2010)
Regardless if TD 10 is upgraded to a TS, Gamma to a hurricane, and/or Zeta is upgraded to a major hurricane, none of the following averages are affected.
The Eastern Pacific averages for 1991-2020 are: 16.6 named storms, 8.8 hurricanes, and 4.6 major hurricanes.
14.4 named storms ( 2.3 from 1981-2010)
7.2 hurricanes ( 0.8 from 1981-2010)
3.2 major hurricanes ( 0.5 from 1981-2010)
Regardless if TD 10 is upgraded to a TS, Gamma to a hurricane, and/or Zeta is upgraded to a major hurricane, none of the following averages are affected.
The Eastern Pacific averages for 1991-2020 are: 16.6 named storms, 8.8 hurricanes, and 4.6 major hurricanes.
3 likes
NCSU B.S. in Meteorology Class of 2021. Tropical weather blogger at http://www.cyclonicfury.com. My forecasts and thoughts are NOT official, for official forecasts please consult the National Hurricane Center.
-
- Tropical Depression
- Posts: 65
- Age: 38
- Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2020 2:22 am
- Location: Conyers, Georgia, United States
- Contact:
Re: 1991-2020 averages
CyclonicFury wrote:Now that 2020 is over in UTC, the following will be the 1991-2020 averages for the Atlantic basin:
14.4 named storms ( 2.3 from 1981-2010)
7.2 hurricanes ( 0.8 from 1981-2010)
3.2 major hurricanes ( 0.5 from 1981-2010)
Regardless if TD 10 is upgraded to a TS, Gamma to a hurricane, and/or Zeta is upgraded to a major hurricane, none of the following averages are affected.
The Eastern Pacific averages for 1991-2020 are: 16.6 named storms, 8.8 hurricanes, and 4.6 major hurricanes.
That is very interesting. I was so sure that those numbers were going to be hyperinflated. Also, Eastern Pacific is now seemingly barely more active than the Atlantic basin, instead of having twice as many storms.
Just out of curiosity, what are the 1981-2020 averages for both basins?
0 likes
Alberto 1994 Opal 1995 Jeanne 2004 Cindy & Dennis 2005 Irma 2017 Michael 2018 Zeta 2020
-
- Category 5
- Posts: 2434
- Age: 31
- Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2017 3:39 pm
- Location: St. Petersburg, FL → Scandinavia
Re: 1991-2020 averages
New criteria for AN* activity (based on climatology, 1991–2020)
≥ 14.4 named storms
≥ 7.2 hurricanes
≥ 3.2 major hurricanes
≥ 153 ACE (≥ 210.6 for hyperactivity)
*AN must meet two or more of the first three criteria
Based on the new climatology, only 1893, 1926, 1933, 1950, 1995, 2004, 2005, and 2017 would still qualify as hyperactive seasons.
≥ 14.4 named storms
≥ 7.2 hurricanes
≥ 3.2 major hurricanes
≥ 153 ACE (≥ 210.6 for hyperactivity)
*AN must meet two or more of the first three criteria
Based on the new climatology, only 1893, 1926, 1933, 1950, 1995, 2004, 2005, and 2017 would still qualify as hyperactive seasons.
0 likes
CVW / MiamiensisWx / Shell Mound
The posts in this forum are NOT official forecasts and should not be used as such. They are just the opinion of the poster and may or may not be backed by sound meteorological data. They are NOT endorsed by any professional institution or STORM2K. For official information, please refer to products from the NHC and NWS.
- ElectricStorm
- Category 5
- Posts: 4566
- Age: 23
- Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2019 11:23 pm
- Location: Skiatook, OK / Norman, OK
Re: 1991-2020 averages
Shell Mound wrote:New criteria for AN* activity (based on climatology, 1991–2020)
≥ 14.4 named storms
≥ 7.2 hurricanes
≥ 3.2 major hurricanes
≥ 153 ACE (≥ 210.6 for hyperactivity)
*AN must meet two or more of the first three criteria
Based on the new climatology, only 1893, 1926, 1933, 1950, 1995, 2004, 2005, and 2017 would still qualify as hyperactive seasons.
Nothing like the hyperactive ACE value becoming the average
0 likes
I am in no way a professional. Take what I say with a grain of salt as I could be totally wrong. Please refer to the NHC, NWS, or SPC for official information.
Boomer Sooner!
Boomer Sooner!
Re: 1991-2020 averages
Weather Dude wrote:Shell Mound wrote:New criteria for AN* activity (based on climatology, 1991–2020)
≥ 14.4 named storms
≥ 7.2 hurricanes
≥ 3.2 major hurricanes
≥ 153 ACE (≥ 210.6 for hyperactivity)
*AN must meet two or more of the first three criteria
Based on the new climatology, only 1893, 1926, 1933, 1950, 1995, 2004, 2005, and 2017 would still qualify as hyperactive seasons.
Nothing like the hyperactive ACE value becoming the average
This is why I think we should have a 40-year average (1981-2020) instead of a 30-year average. The 1991-2020 average is so skewered by the 1995-present active phase, and doesn’t have enough moderate to inactive seasons to balance those out.
I did a 40-year average from 1977 to 2016 and got these values:
—12.2 named storms
—6.4 hurricanes
—2.6 majors
—101.63 ACE
—386.28 ICE (Instantaneous Cyclone Energy, my own TC intensity metric)
3 likes
Irene '11 Sandy '12 Hermine '16 5/15/2018 Derecho Fay '20 Isaias '20 Elsa '21 Henri '21 Ida '21
I am only a meteorology enthusiast who knows a decent amount about tropical cyclones. Look to the professional mets, the NHC, or your local weather office for the best information.
I am only a meteorology enthusiast who knows a decent amount about tropical cyclones. Look to the professional mets, the NHC, or your local weather office for the best information.
- ElectricStorm
- Category 5
- Posts: 4566
- Age: 23
- Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2019 11:23 pm
- Location: Skiatook, OK / Norman, OK
Re: 1991-2020 averages
aspen wrote:Weather Dude wrote:Shell Mound wrote:New criteria for AN* activity (based on climatology, 1991–2020)
≥ 14.4 named storms
≥ 7.2 hurricanes
≥ 3.2 major hurricanes
≥ 153 ACE (≥ 210.6 for hyperactivity)
*AN must meet two or more of the first three criteria
Based on the new climatology, only 1893, 1926, 1933, 1950, 1995, 2004, 2005, and 2017 would still qualify as hyperactive seasons.
Nothing like the hyperactive ACE value becoming the average
This is why I think we should have a 40-year average (1981-2020) instead of a 30-year average. The 1991-2020 average is so skewered by the 1995-present active phase, and doesn’t have enough moderate to inactive seasons to balance those out.
I did a 40-year average from 1977 to 2016 and got these values:
—12.2 named storms
—6.4 hurricanes
—2.6 majors
—101.63 ACE
—386.28 ICE (Instantaneous Cyclone Energy, my own TC intensity metric)
I would totally agree. I would even go on to say that they should use every year in the satellite era. That would include other active and inactive eras as well and would be a much better representation of the true average. It just seems odd to me that some seasons that have a hyperactive ACE value are now going to me normal... I don't know about anyone else, but that just seems off to me. With these new averages, a season that is "normal" would really be very active compared to all other eras. I mean, if you're looking for the average, why only use the +AMO years? 30 years is good for certain areas in meteorology but for TCs, I think they need as much as they can get.
7 likes
I am in no way a professional. Take what I say with a grain of salt as I could be totally wrong. Please refer to the NHC, NWS, or SPC for official information.
Boomer Sooner!
Boomer Sooner!
-
- Category 5
- Posts: 1448
- Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:51 am
- Location: Somewhere in Massachusetts
Re: 1991-2020 averages
Apparently, 1951-2020 averages are being used.
https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/Background.html
https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/Background.html
0 likes
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: ouragans and 154 guests