WRC Predicts Gulf Hurricanes Highly Likely in 2008

OTC Coverage Sponsor

The Weather Research Center (WRC) based in Houston, TX predicts that the Gulf of Mexico oil leases have a 90% chance of being hit by a tropical storm or hurricane during the 2008 hurricane season.

With forecasts for six hurricanes from 11 named tropical storms, the 2008 hurricane season is expected to last from May to December.

WRC uses its Orbital Cyclone Strike Index (OCSI) based on the solar cycle to make seasonal hurricane predictions. The solar cycle is an indication of the solar system's orbit in conjunction with the 11.1 year sun spot cycle, which together influence the global circulation pattern. According to calculations of sun spot activity, which remains very low, the sun spot minimum should occur sometime this year. This places 2008 in the OCSI Phase 1. Past years categorized in OCSI Phase 1, hurricanes struck Gulf of Mexico oil leases eight out of 10 years.

The Weather Research Center can be found at OTC 2008 booth 3383. It will provide hurricane tracking charts with up-to-date on hurricane predictions for the 2008 hurricane season.

Booth #3383

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