Erin was the fifth named storm of the season in the Atlantic Basin. While that is not a very low number through mid-August, none of the storms has reached hurricane strength, and the overall Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) remains well below normal in the Atlantic Basin.
As of August 21, the ACE in the Atlantic Basin is 7.65, compared to the normal year-to-date of 19. Even though the ACE is only 40% of normal so far this season, we are at a point in the season where 18.3% of the normal yearly ACE has occurred. Basically, the heart of the Atlantic hurricane season usually occurs in the next 5 weeks, so the very low ACE this season can be turned around in a hurry.
The current year-to-date Northern Hemisphere ACE is 56% of the normal. The Western and Eastern Pacific basins are both running well below normal.
| Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) | |||
| BASIN | CURRENT YTD | NORMAL YTD | NORMAL YEARLY ACE |
| Northern Hemisphere | 113 | 201 | 562 |
| Western Pacific | 55.6 | 110 | 302 |
| North Atlantic | 7.65 | 19 | 104 |
| Eastern Pacific | 38.8 | 63 | 138 |
| North Indian | 5.378 | 7 | 18 |
| Southern Hemisphere | 191.827 | 209 | 209 |
| Global | 237.3 | 307 | 771 |
Data from policlimate.com/tropical/
Southern Hemisphere season runs from October to June
