Today the hurricane forecasting group at Colorado State University released their first forecast of the 2021 Atlantic season. They are predicting another above-average year, with 17 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes expected. This is based on the waning La Nina and the expected neutral conditions this summer along with other climatological factors like the warm sea surface temperatures. You can read more about their forecast at https://engr.source.colostate.edu/csu-researchers-predicting-above-average-2021-atlantic-hurricane-season/. More detailed information can be found at Yale Climate Connections here. Of course, we don’t know where those storms will go, so they could affect us in the Southeast, hit other parts of the US, or just remain out to sea. Now is a good time to start thinking about pre-season preparations! It only takes one to wipe out your crops for the year or cause major damage to your farm, if it hits at the wrong time.