...Summary of the 2002 Atlantic Hurricane Season...


     The 2002 Atlantic hurricane season produced fourteen systems of which only four became 
hurricanes. This is considered an above normal season for tropical storms but below normal for
hurricanes. No hurricane threatened or affected the Caribbean region. 

     The cause of the minimum hurricane activity is traced to a strengthening El Ni¤o. 
However, twice the normal number of storm systems (eight) affected the United States,
including Hurricane Lili, the first land-falling hurricane to strike the United States since
the 1999 Hurricane Season.   The 2002 season's storms caused 9 deaths in the United
States and about $900 million in damages.  

     Overall in 2002, there were 12 named storms, of which four became hurricanes. 
Hurricanes. Lili and Isidore were classified as major (category 3 or higher on the Saffir
Simpson hurricane scale).  Eight storms (Tropical Storms Bertha, Edouard, Fay and
Hanna; and Hurricanes Gustav, Isidore, Kyle and Lili) affected the coastal United
States.  Hurricane Lili was the only storm to make landfall while still a hurricane.  The
other 2002 storms were: Tropical Storms Arthur, Cristobal, Dolly and Josephine.  The
2002 season's storms caused 19 deaths and xxxxxxx in damages. In the United States
only, the activity left 9 deaths and about $900 million in damages.  

     Hurricane forecasters at NOAA 's National Weather Service Centers correctly
forecast climate conditions, including the El Ni¤o, would reduce the overall hurricane
activity this season. The forecast called for seven to 10 tropical storms, of which four to
six could develop into hurricanes, with one to three classified as major. There were
two more named tropical storms than the range of 7-10 predicted, but because several
named storms were weak, and of short duration their weight in the overall activity was 
minimal.

     Gaining a better understanding of the atmospheric conditions controlling
seasonal hurricane activity coupled with improved computer forecast models
is the reason for issuing accurate outlooks for overall hurricane season activity this
year.  Success in future years will depend on more research into how global and
regional climate patterns affect Atlantic hurricane activity. Improvement in the hurricane
intensity forecast, in particular, will depend on research work in progress within the U.S.
Weather Research Program.

     Max Mayfield, Director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC), said, "Four storm
strikes on Louisiana remind us of the need for preparedness during every hurricane
season.  It's not the number of storms that counts, it's where they go."

      The use of the internet has been a new way of people accessing lifesaving
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Service is the primary source for weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United
States and its territories.  NOAA Weather Service operates the most advanced weather
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property and enhance the national economy.  

To learn more about NOAA Weather Service, please visit http://www.nws.noaa.gov or 
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For the Puerto Rico and Virgin Island area, please visit http://www.srh.noaa.gov/sju.