Tropical storms in May more common

The official start of hurricane season may get shifted into May in coming years, after several consecutive seasons produced storms prior to the current opening date of June 1.

A low-pressure system near the Bahamas has been given a 70% chance of forming a subtropical storm or depression later this week. If it does, this would be the sixth year in a row to see a storm form before the official start date.

Dennis Feltgen, spokesman for the National Hurricane Center, said the possibility of shifting the opening date into May is being discussed, in light of the series of preseason storms. Nothing formal has been proposed, he said, but the increase in early storms has led to conversations on the pros and cons of an earlier start date.

“NHC has taken note of the formation of named storms during May 15-31 in about half of the past