Hurricane season has quietest start for 30 years with NO named storms since July 3

THE Atlantic hurricane season has had its quietest start for 30 years, experts say.

There have been no named storms since July 3, and August could be on track for none at all, defying pre-season forecasts.

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Two “tropical disturbances” being tracked in the Gulf failed to develop into cyclones over the past two weekends.

There have been only three named tropical storms so far this year – Alex in early June, and Bonnie and Colin at the start of July.

It is the first time since 1992 that no named storms have formed in the Atlantic Basin between July 3 and August 22, said hurricane expert Phil Klotzbach.

And if none form in the next week, there will be a hurricane-free August for the first time in 25 years and only the third time in 40 years.

Dr Klotzbach, a meteorologist at Colorado State University, said: “The long quiet stretch has been quite surprising given the robust LaNina in place in the tropical Pacific and warmer than normal tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures.”

Dry air from the Sahara is said to be lingering over the western Atlantic, inhibiting the formation of storms.

Dr Kim Wood, an expert at Mississippi State University, said only five seasons since 1966 have had lower total storm activity up to August 20.

However the unusually quiet start to the season does not mean storms will not come later, she warned.

Atlantic basin depressions are officially defined as tropical storms – and given names – when wind reaches 39mph.

They are classed as hurricanes when sustained wind speeds top 74mph.

In early June Tropical Storm Alex killed four people in Cuba before dumping 11 inches of rain in Miami.

In early July, Hurricane Bonnie – with 115mph winds – killed at least two in Mexico and caused floods in Nicaragua.

And Tropical Storm Colin caused Fourth of July travel chaos with thousands of flights delayed or cancelled in the US.

Just weeks ago, forecasters were warning another 17 powerful storms would hit the US in the coming months.

Meteorologists at Colorado State University predicted ten hurricanes would be classified as Category 3 or above.

Scientists at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration also predicted an above-average season with between six and ten hurricanes.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and normally peaks in mid-September.

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MEXICO BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 11: Cars are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Michael passed through the area on October 11, 2018 in Mexico Beach, Florida. The hurricane hit the panhandle area with category 4 winds causing major damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)[/caption]

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Hurricane Michael in October 2018 was one of the most powerful ever to hit the US[/caption]

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MEXICO BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 11: Cars are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Michael passed through the area on October 11, 2018 in Mexico Beach, Florida. The hurricane hit the panhandle area with category 4 winds causing major damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)[/caption]

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MEXICO BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 11: Cars are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Michael passed through the area on October 11, 2018 in Mexico Beach, Florida. The hurricane hit the panhandle area with category 4 winds causing major damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)[/caption]

Getty Images - Getty

MEXICO BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 11: Cars are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Michael passed through the area on October 11, 2018 in Mexico Beach, Florida. The hurricane hit the panhandle area with category 4 winds causing major damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)[/caption]

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NINTCHDBPICT000441036193-4[/caption]

Getty Images - Getty

MEXICO BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 11: Cars are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Michael passed through the area on October 11, 2018 in Mexico Beach, Florida. The hurricane hit the panhandle area with category 4 winds causing major damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)[/caption]

Getty Images - Getty

MEXICO BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 11: Cars are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Michael passed through the area on October 11, 2018 in Mexico Beach, Florida. The hurricane hit the panhandle area with category 4 winds causing major damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)[/caption]

Getty Images - Getty

MEXICO BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 11: Cars are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Michael passed through the area on October 11, 2018 in Mexico Beach, Florida. The hurricane hit the panhandle area with category 4 winds causing major damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)[/caption]

Getty Images - Getty

MEXICO BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 11: Cars are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Michael passed through the area on October 11, 2018 in Mexico Beach, Florida. The hurricane hit the panhandle area with category 4 winds causing major damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)[/caption]

Getty Images - Getty

MEXICO BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 11: Cars are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Michael passed through the area on October 11, 2018 in Mexico Beach, Florida. The hurricane hit the panhandle area with category 4 winds causing major damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)[/caption]

Getty Images - Getty

MEXICO BEACH, FL – OCTOBER 11: Cars are piled on top of each other after Hurricane Michael passed through the area on October 11, 2018 in Mexico Beach, Florida. The hurricane hit the panhandle area with category 4 winds causing major damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)[/caption]