ImpactWeather Releases 2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook

HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwired - Mar 25, 2014) - Predicting the development of an El Niño by July or August, ImpactWeather has released its 2014 Seasonal Outlook for Atlantic Hurricanes, which factors in El Niño influence to produce a less active than normal hurricane season this year. Senior ImpactWeather Meteorologists Fred Schmude and Chris Hebert provide the following outlook, based on averages of past seasons, ocean temperature trends and elevated wind shear across the Tropical Atlantic:

Named Storms: 10
Hurricanes: 4
Intense (Cat 3-4-5) Hurricanes: 1

A less active than normal hurricane season is not a reason to rest easy for people and businesses located along the United States coast. Some of history's most devastating storms occurred in years when overall hurricane activity was quite low.

"We advise our clients not to focus on the number of storms that may potentially make landfall, but rather the chance that one could be the hurricane -- the storm that causes widespread damage and disrupts their business for days or weeks," states Mark Chambers, president of ImpactWeather. "Many along the Gulf Coast remember Hurricanes Alicia and Andrew. Those storms were catastrophic to the Houston and Miami areas, and came during seasons that were otherwise considered quiet."

"Preparedness never takes a vacation," continues Chambers. "Our commitment to enabling our clients to make the best possible business decisions when faced with weather-related challenges is constant. 2014 marks eight years since a hurricane stronger than Category 3 has made landfall in the U.S. Many would theorize that we are overdue."

About ImpactWeather: ImpactWeather serves as the dedicated, 24/7/365 weather department for hundreds of organizations globally, providing them with critical weather-related business decision guidance that enables them to protect their people, their assets, and their bottom line. More at ImpactWeather.com