2020 Atlantic hurricane season  The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is an ongoing event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. The season officially started on June 1 and ends on November 30, dates that conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. However, the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time, as shown by the formations of Tropical Storms Arthur and Bertha, on May 16 and 27, respectively, marking the sixth consecutive year with pre-season systems. This also marks the first time since 2016 that two or more named storms developed before the start of the season, and the first time since 2012 that two or more named storms formed in the month of May. In addition, this is the first season in the satellite era to have three systems form before or on June 1, as well as being the season with the earliest third named storm on record, upon the naming of Tropical Storm Cristobal on June 2. The previous record was held by 2016's Tropical Storm Colin, which formed on June 5. Later, on June 23, Tropical Storm Dolly was named, becoming the third earliest fourth named storm on record, behind 2012's Tropical Storm Debby and 2016's Tropical Storm Danielle. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, officials in the United States have expressed concerns about the hurricane season potentially exacerbating the effects of the pandemic. Evacuations would be significantly hindered due to fears of contracting the virus and social distancing rules would break down when giving aid to hurricane-affected areas. Forecasts of hurricane activity are issued before each hurricane season by noted hurricane experts such as Philip J. Klotzbach and his associates at Colorado State University; and separately by NOAA forecasters. Klotzbach's team (formerly led by William M. Gray) defined the average (1981 to 2010) hurricane season as featuring 12.1 tropical storms, 6.4 hurricanes, 2.7 major hurricanes (storms reaching at least Category 3 strength in the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale), and an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index of 106 units. NOAA defines a season as above-normal, near-normal or below-normal by a combination of the number of named storms, the number reaching hurricane strength, the number reaching major hurricane strength, and the ACE Index. On December 19, 2019, "Tropical Storm Risk" (TSR), a public consortium consisting of experts on insurance, risk management, and seasonal climate forecasting at University College London, issued an extended-range forecast predicting a slightly above-average hurricane season.