Hurricanes are set to continue at “heightened levels” for the next two decades, according to Dr Steve Smith, senior vice-president of Carvill's ReAdvisory analytical business.
In ReAdvisory's new report, “2006 Atlantic Hurricane Season in Review”, Smith explained that sea surface temperatures (SSTs) continued to be above average in the Atlantic during 2006, but hurricane activity was suppressed by high levels of wind shear and the formation of an El Niño.
Smith said: “In almost every category of storm, 2005 had at least double the number of storms seen in 2006. Indeed, there were only two named US tropical storms that hit land throughout 2006, compared with seven in 2005.”
Smith warned that insurers can expect hurricane activity at 2005 levels over the next 10-20 years, due to continuing above average SSTs.
