Colorado State University said the “2021 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have above-normal activity”.

“We anticipate an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean.”

The academics found there was a near-70% chance of a major hurricane striking somewhere along the coast – against a ‘normal’ year of 52% – a 45% chance that one hits the east coast this year (normally a 31% chance) and a 44% chance for the Gulf coast – normally a 30% chance.

CSU forecasts this year’s hurricane season, from 1 June to 30 November, will have 17 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major (category 3+) hurricanes, owing to the lack of El Niño.