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By Ken Jackson Staff Writer

Has our hurricane season luck run out?

Meteorologists, emergency operations personnel and informed Central Floridians will spend the next six months with their eyes to the skies and seas as the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season begins today.

Last year, Central Florida received brushes from Tropical Storms Debby and Isaac and a glancing blow from Hurricane Sandy as it skirted up the coast on its way to devastating the Mid-Atlantic.

The last time Florida was affected by a landfalling hurricane was Wilma in 2005, one year after a train of storms etched forever in residents minds Charley, Frances and Jeanne struck Osceola County in succession.

As forecasters predict an active storm season, the chances of Florida being in the crosshairs increase. Colorado State Universitys William Gray and Philip Klotzbach, call for a potentially hyperactive season with 18 named storms, nine hurricanes, four major hurricanes. They cite above-average sea surface temperatures in main development areas, low wind shear and a lack of El Nio conditions developing in the peak of the season to enhance tropical cyclone activity.

According to the duos other research, in a given year Orange and Osceola counties have a 16.7 percent chance of receiving tropical storm-force gusts (up to 74 mph), 4.6 percent chance of hurricane gusts (up to 110 mph) and 1.7 percent chance of major hurricane gusts (over 111 mph).

Updated for this year, Florida has a 71 percent chance of being impacted by a hurricane this year and a 34 percent chance of being hit by a major hurricane (Category 3-5), numbers higher than average climatology (51 and 21).

With the active storm months approaching, Gov. Rick Scott called on Florida families to form a plan now to keep loved ones safe should a hurricane strike Florida.

Originally posted here:
‘Active’ hurricane season begins today