The first forecast for the 2023 Atlantic Basin hurricane season was issued by Colorado State University Thursday and forecast slightly below average activity.
"We anticipate that the 2023 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have slightly below average activity," the CSU forecast release said. "Current neutral ENSO conditions look fairly likely to transition to El Niño this summer/fall. However, there is considerable uncertainty as to how strong an El Niño would be, if it does develop. Sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic are much warmer than normal, so if a robust El Niño does not develop, the potential still exists for a busy Atlantic hurricane season."