CATEGORY:WEATHER NEWS
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By Rawle Titus


GRENADA (August 9, 2006) - The National Disaster Management Agency says the recent downgrading of the 2006 hurricane forecast must not be interpreted as reason to be relaxed about preparing for a disaster.

In a new forecast, just released, American forecasters have slightly reduced the number of storms expected but still say that the 2006 Atlantic Hurricane Season will be above average with nearly the entire month of September covered in storm activity.

The revised prediction is for 12 to 15 systems to pass through our region, three of which have already gone, 7 to nine of them likely to become hurricanes and three to four to become major hurricanes generating winds in excess of 110 miles per hour.

“While the prediction has been downgraded, it still means that we are facing a very active hurricane season and therefore our level of preparedness should continue,” NaDMA Coordinator, Sylvan McIntyre said. “Early in the season we have seen the emergence of three named systems so far. It is an indication that the latter part of the season is likely to be very intensive and those systems are likely to be very close in light of that it means we have had ample time to prepare.”

The previous prediction was for 13 to 16 systems to come through the Atlantic with 8 to ten of them likely to become hurricanes and four to six likely to become major hurricanes.

NaDMA has been working with the Point Salines Met Office, to adequately inform the population and McIntyre says persons will know well in advance if a storm is headed our way. “NaDMA will be issuing periodic releases warning the public of what is to come. We do have a very effective warning mechanism that links with the Point Salines Met office, which has been working well for us so far” McIntyre said.
“In light of the prediction and any forecast we will be in a position to inform the nation as time goes on. So we advise the public do not become complacent and keep listening to NaDMA. If there is a system approaching us, they will be guided accordingly”.

The numbers were revised downwards due to changes, observed in June and July, in the three critical ingredients that make up cyclones.