The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season is one month away, and the time to prepare is now. National Hurricane Preparedness Week began on April 30 and runs through May 6. 

Even if you are not in a storm’s path, there are ways to prepare in advance that will make it easier for you when the time comes. It’s important to know if you live in an evacuation zone, and if so, to develop an evacuation plan for you and your family.

You can assemble a hurricane kit, including items like non-perishable food for your family and pets, water, flashlights, a first aid kit and more.

Also, reviewing your insurance plans if you own a home and to sign up for flood insurance if it is a separate plan.

Here is a full breakdown of how to prepare you and your family and what you can do today.

Colorado State University released its outlook for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season in April, and their researchers are forecasting below normal activity this season.

This year’s forecast includes plenty of different factors, including the return of El Niño conditions, which would be the first time since 2018 and 2019. El Niño leads to stronger upper level winds, or wind shear, in the Atlantic, which is less favorable for tropical development.

Forecasters predict that sea surface temperatures will hover near or warmer than average this season. Warm water acts as fuel for tropical systems, which could help counteract some of the El Niño effects.

As always, it only takes one storm to make it a bad season. Here is a full breakdown of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season forecast.

The National Hurricane Center is introducing some fresh changes to the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season you can expect to see.

Four new names are on the list this season after Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate became retired after the 2017 season. The new names replacing them will be Harold, Idalia, Margot and Nigel.

Along with the new names, the National Hurricane Center outlooks will now extend to seven days in the future instead of five. Thanks to advances in hurricane forecasting and increased skill from the NHC, they can give more lead time.

Here is a full breakdown of the changes you can expect to see this hurricane season.

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