Weatherman forecasts 14 tropical storms next year

As many as 14 tropical storms could affect Costa Rica during the next storm season, from June through November, four more than average, the National Meteorological Institute (IMN) said Monday in a preliminary forecast.

Of those, seven could be hurricanes, three of them “intense hurricanes,” meteorologist Eladio Solano told The Tico Times, adding that these numbers are also above average: six hurricanes, two in the “intense” category.

Solano said these storms won´t necessarily come in from the Caribbean, pointing at that last May´s Tropical Storm Alma, which caused serious damage, was located in the Pacific Ocean.

He said the tropical storm season starts June 1 and ends Nov. 30.