Government agencies, universities, and private weather forecasting firms worldwide have been releasing their 2020 hurricane season predictions over the past few weeks and the results are staggering. By all estimates, summer 2020 will be a hurricane season for the record books.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its official projections today, which call for:
a likely range of 13 to 19 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher)
6 to 10 hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher)
3 to 6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher)
The outlook predicts a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and only a 10% chance of a below-normal season.”
According to a survey of 13 other weather predicting organizations, the average forecast calls for 17 named storms, eight of which are expected to become hurricanes. The average season, year over year, sees only six hurricanes. Warming surface temperatures in the Atlantic and favorable wind patterns are cited as the main reasons for this year’s uptick in storm activity.
An Early Start in South Florida
Two weeks before the official start of hurricane season (June 1), Tropical Storm Arthur became the first named storm of the year. Earlier this week, Arthur maxxed-out with sustained wind speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and created 7-foot swells off the coast of Palm Beach County. With a very active hurricane season on the horizon, now is the ideal time to invest in protection from the next big storm.
Storm Shutters and Impact Windows
The best, easiest thing you can do as a property owner is hire someone to install hurricane shutters or impact windows on your home or apartment.
Hurricane shutters are a mainstay of South Florida homes and some properties come with pre-fabricated corrugated steel shutters. Anyone who has installed these before a storm will recall sore backs, sliced palms, and dicey balancing acts on ladders. And don’t forget — they’ll need to be uninstalled and stored until the next storm.
For these reasons, many Floridians opt for the speed and convenience of accordion shutters. With a few slides and clicks, these folding shutters secure exterior windows in a matter of minutes. No need to turn your home into a cave for days before a hurricane hits.
Better yet, property owners can upgrade their homes and businesses with impact windows. As their name suggests, these window panes are made with cutting-edge materials that are designed to resist the impact of flying debris. Whether that’s a lawn chair or a palm tree, impact windows are up to the task.
Whatever you decide is the best option for your home, Orlando T Group is here to help. We’re the local experts on hurricane protection and we look forward to designing a solution that’s just right for your property.