Seasonal Forecasts
| Source | Date | Named storms |
Hurricanes | Major hurricanes |
|
| Average (1971–2006) | 15.3 | 8.8 | 4.2 | ||
| Record high activity | 28 | 16 | 10 | ||
| Record low activity | 8 | 3 | 0 | ||
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| NOAA | May 24, 2012 | 12-18 | 5-9 | 2-5 | |
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| Actual activity | 17 | 10 | 5 | ||
On May 24, the Climate Prediction Center released its pre-season outlook. The scientists stated a 30% chance of a below-normal season, a 50% chance of a near-normal season and a 20% chance of an above-normal season. The climatologists expected 12–18 named storms, with 5–9 becoming hurricanes, and 2–5 becoming major hurricanes. The below-normal activity forecast was because of increased wind shear and a high expectation of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral conditions throughout the peak in the later months of summer, together with lingering La Niña conditions at the beginning of the season, even though there had already been two named systems – one tropical storm and one major hurricane – in the month of May.
Read more about this topic: 2012 Pacific Hurricane Season