NOAA: 2017 Hurricane Season ‘Below Average’

The 2017 hurricane season—June 1 to Nov. 30—featured two tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific Hurricane Center area of responsibility, which is below the seasonal average of four to five, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Tropical Storm Fernanda and Tropical Depression Greg both moved into the Central Pacific basin (140°W to the International Dateline) from the Eastern Pacific in July.

Tropical Storm Fernanda headed to Hawai‘i July 20 through 22 with a maximum of 50 mph winds. Following close behind, Tropical Depression Greg formed in the Eastern Pacific on July 26, with maximum winds clocked at 35 mph. both dissipated before approaching Hawai‘i.

The 2017 hurricane season outlook issued in May called for a 40% chance each of near-normal or above-normal tropical cyclone activity and a 20% chance of below-normal activity.

The 2017 season started with equatorial warming but never transitioned to an El Niño event. Instead, steady cooling commenced during the summer leading to La Niña conditions by the end of the season.

La Niña conditions are typically associated with below-normal tropical cyclone activity in the Central Pacific.