The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) is keeping a close watch on a potential adjustment to the start date of the Atlantic hurricane season by forecasters due to a surge in May storms in 2020.

The new proposal would move the official start date of the Atlantic Basin’s Hurricane Season from June 1st to May 15th, which would be around two weeks earlier than the current start date of June 1st.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the new changes will not happen in time for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. However, the NHC will start issuing tropical weather outlooks on May 15 this year, a change from past seasons when those waited until June 1.

It is not unusual for storms to develop before the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season or after, as this has happened in the past years and is likely to occur in the future.

The DMCA is reassuring residents that the potential changes do not affect the DMCA’s mode of hurricane preparation which began in late last year. These include reviewing the annual National Hurricane Plans and Hurricane Preparedness Guides, Emergency Shelter Inspection and the proposed development of a DMCA App amongst other emergency preparedness and educational outreach activities.

The DMCA is aware that June 1st is the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, but, we are encouraging residents to begin to assess their risks now, review their emergency family plans and be prepared, as we have seen pre-season storms developing in March as fas back as 1908.

According to forecasters, after a record 30 named storms in 2020, this year’s Hurricane season could once again be active. This as a La Niña weather pattern, coupled with myriad other atmospheric factors, could load the dice toward another challenging season.