With northern Florida bracing for a storm surge and winds from Eta as it made its second landfall near Cedar Key — with a projected path across the state — Tropical Storm Theta is spinning in the Atlantic and setting a 169-year record in the process.
Theta becomes the 29th named storm of the 2020 season, besting the busy 2005 Atlantic hurricane season that had 28 named storms. It stands as the busiest since records started being kept in 1851.
“After the historic Atlantic hurricane season of 2005, it’s remarkable to have another season during my career that would reach this extreme level of activity,” said NOAA director of National Weather Service Louis W. Uccellini in a statement. “NOAA’s sustained investment in computer forecast models, technology, observing systems and our skilled workforce have paid off over the last 15 years, with exponentially improved hurricane forecasts.”
Back in August, NOAA’s climate forecasters updated their outlook for the Atlantic hurricane season, predicting an “extremely active” season due to atmospheric and oceanic conditions that are ideal for fueling storms.
