An average and quiet hurricane season for Louisiana comes to an end

Hurricane Laura in 2020

The 2022 hurricane season ends today and although 21 named storms were predicted by NOAA only 14 came to fruition, and eight were hurricanes. State Climatologist Berry Keim says in July and August Saharan dust from Africa stabilized the Atlantic atmosphere.

“Even when that Sharian air layer was not in place, the atmosphere over the tropics remained unusually stable, which further prevented storm formation,” said Keim.

Fourteen named storms is considered an average hurricane season.

In 2020, there were 30 named storms and last year 21.

Keim says Hurricane Ian was the signature storm this season after making landfall in Fort Myers, Florida.

“Just raked the entire Florida peninsula and there were 114 deaths contributed to the storm in Florida alone, so obviously a bid deal,” said Keim.

But after two very active seasons, no storms threatened Louisiana.

“Thanking my lucky stars for the easy season that we had this year to help us continue to dig out of what happened in 2020 and 21 in the state of Louisiana.” said Keim.