Weather

Why is this year's hurricane season more active than past years

If it seems like this year's hurricane season is more active than usual, it's because it is, directly related storms in the Sahara Desert.

How?

Imagine a puddle of water on the ground. When you take a pile of dirt or sand and throw it into the puddle, it soaks up the water.

It's similar to what happens with dust and hurricanes and this year with a lack of dust, hurricanes aren't drying out.

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Hurricanes are continuing to form, keeping the Atlantic Basin busy.

The 2017 hurricane season started off quickly with tropical storm Arlene forming in April, days before the official start of the season, which began June 1.

Seven hurricanes have formed so far this year. That's about double the average to date, according to meteorologists from Colorado State University.

There have also been 30 days this year with hurricanes spinning in the Atlantic, more than double the average and the most since 2004.

When comparing named storms and hurricane pace, 2017 is most like 2004 and 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit the U.S.

One factor may be the lack of Saharan Dust blowing across the Atlantic from Africa.

This dust has a drying effect on developing storms, so without it, storms tend to hold together.

There is also a lack of El Nino, which would help increase shearing winds that can tear apart a storm.

This already destructive season doesn't appear to be backing off anytime soon and there are still more than two months left in the season, which ends Nov. 30.