This multidecade cycle, which began in 1995, lasts for 20 or 30 years -- perhaps even longer. Seasonal factors might add to or subtract from the factors associated with the active cycle, so the amount of hurricane activity is variable from year to year even though overall numbers remain higher than average.
The National Hurricane Center considers a season with 9.4 named storms (tropical storms and hurricanes), including 5.6 hurricanes and 1.9 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher), to be average.
Compared to those averages, 13 of 15 seasons since 1995 have been more active than average in terms of the number of named storms, and 11 seasons have been more active than average in terms of the number of hurricanes. Fourteen of 15 seasons have had more major hurricanes than the average of 1.9; however, four seasons had just two hurricanes, so the number of seasons with an above-average number of major hurricanes is better estimated at 10 years.
Note: Major hurricanes are Category 3 or higher.
Source: National Hurricane Center
Greece Euro Exit Looms, Europe Fiddles
Kentucky Derby Winner's Trainer SUSPENDED
Police Announce Arrest In Etan Patz Case
Washington Post Slams Nancy Pelosi
Fed Official Essentially Calls For Dimon To Leave New York Fed
Chuck Schumer Hammers Defenders Of Facebook Founder Who Dumped America
Newt Gingrich: 'Mitt Romney Is A Lot Like Eisenhower'
Executive Behind Lavish Conference Leaves Agency
Muslim Brotherhood Claims To Hold Lead In Egyptian Elections
PHOTOS: Look Who Showed Up for Our Birthday Party
Booker Addresses 'Meet The Press' Critics On Twitter
One In Three Homeowners Owes Bank More Than Home Is Worth: Study
Joe The Plumber Slams 'Asinine' Biden
Will Romney Go Beyond Fox News In General Election?
Obama Answers Questions On Twitter For First Time
WATCH: The Bain Bust Out: How Tony Soprano Explains Private Equity
Bill Clinton Poses With Porn Stars
SAY CHEESE: Facebook Makes Big Announcement
Women Allowed In Combat Under Senate Defense Bill
Student Loan Plans Get Big Rejections
Good News For Gay Marriage
WATCH: O'Reilly, Letterman Fist Bump
Yahoo Unleashes Gorgeous New Web Browser Extension
