TROPICS: Latest update still calls for active hurricane season

CHARLOTTE, N.C — Despite a bit of a lull in the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season, the National Hurricane Center still expects this year to the most active since 2012.

So far this season, the Atlantic has gone through five named storms, the latest being Hurricane Earl earlier this month. Earl moved into Central America as a Category 1 before dissipating days later in central Mexico.

August marks the halfway point for the hurricane season, which runs until the end of November. September is typically the most active month for development.

On Thursday, NOAA released its midseason update, calling for higher confidence in an active season. The original forecast called for 10-16 named storms, which has now been updated to 12-17.

NOAA states the reasoning for the increase in named storms is due to the transition from El Nino to weak La Nina conditions, weak wind shear, and a strong West African monsoon.

Looking ahead into mid-August, conditions still look quiet in the Atlantic. Meanwhile, the Pacific remains very active, already through 10 named storms this season.

Cox Media Group