May 24, 2006 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
released its 2006 east Pacific hurricane season outlook —
predicting a below average season with 12 to 16 tropical storms,
of which six to eight could become hurricanes, including one to
three major hurricanes of category 3 strength or greater. An
average east Pacific hurricane season features 15 to 16 tropical
storms, with nine becoming hurricanes, including four to five
major hurricanes. “The last three east Pacific hurricane seasons
have been below normal, following an overall trend of lower
activity since 1995,” said Jim Laver, director of NOAA’s Climate
Prediction Center in Camp Springs, Md. Neutral El Niño/Southern
Oscillation (ENSO) conditions are expected across the equatorial
Pacific during the next three to six months. “Therefore neither
El Niño nor La Niña will likely be a factor in this year’s
hurricane season,” added Laver. “At present, the leading climate
pattern affecting the east Pacific hurricane season is a multi-
decadal signal