WARM OCEAN SURFACE COULD LEAD TO BUSY HURRICANE SEASON

As the Canadian Hurricane Centre warned of another active hurricane season Friday, one of the country’s top meteorologists said the pandemic could make it more difficult for people to prepare. “What we usually see when a storm is approaching ... is lineups at stores. That is the thing you’re really going to want to avoid this year,” Bob Robichaud said during the centre’s annual pre-season briefing. He said that ocean surface temperatures are slightly above average. The warmer the water, the more energy there is to feed a storm. As well, reduced vertical wind shear over the Atlantic will make it less likely that tropical storms will be pulled apart as they are forming and growing. The U.s.-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is also predicting an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season.