Havana, May 14 (RHC) – Following a season with the fewest number of hurricanes since 1982, the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to follow suit as a below-normal hurricane season.

Defining the season as quiet and below-average does not mean anything for a specific point, place or country, therefore forecasts do not really have a practical use, explained Dr. José Rubiera, head of the Forecast Center of the Cuban Institute of Meteorology, in an article posted in Cubadebate website.

If this were a very active season, it would be exactly the same. We need to be prepared at all times, and when there is a tropical phenomena of any classification or category in areas relatively close to Cuba, we must follow the forecasts and warnings that are issued, as well as the guidelines for civil protection, stated Rubiera.

However, he pointed out that for this period, to begin on June 1st until November 30th, a normal to mild activity is expected, with nine tropical storms, while only three will become hurricanes and none of great intensity. The historical average would be about 12.

The first named storms of the Atlantic hurricane season will be: Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaiah, Josephine, Kyle, Laura, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky, Wilfred.