AccuWeather experts predict 2021 Atlantic hurricane season will result in 16-20 named storms

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
April 7, 2021

AccuWeather’s team of tropical weather experts is predicting that the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season will result in 16-20 named storms, including seven to 10 hurricanes.

Of the storms projected to reach hurricane strength, three to five are predicted to become major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher storms that have maximum sustained winds of 111 mph or greater), according to a report written by Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather staff writer.

“AccuWeather’s forecast, when compared to that 30-year average, indicates that 2021 is expected to be an above-normal season for tropical activity in the Atlantic. A normal season is considered to have 14 storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes,” wrote Byrne.

In 2020, 13 hurricanes formed, and six of those reached the major hurricane threshold, he noted.

After six years of Atlantic Tropical Cyclones forming prior to the official start of the season, the National Hurricane Center will now issue routine Tropical Weather Outlooks starting May 15, the center said in an early March tweet, adding there would be no changes to the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season in 2021.

“Public power utilities last year proved their mettle in successfully responding to an above-average hurricane season, all while adhering to safety protocols in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sam Rozenberg, Senior Director of Security and Resilience at the American Public Power Association.

“It’s never too early to start planning for tropical storms and hurricanes,” Rozenberg said, noting that APPA offers a wide range of resources to its members.

Those resources include an all-hazards guidebook and a Restoration Best Practices Guidebook.

APPA members can access disaster planning and response resources — including the public power Mutual Aid Network.