NEW YORK, United States (CMC) — Researchers at Colorado State University are predicting “slightly above average activity” for the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season which begins on June 1.

“The current weak La Niña event appears likely to transition to neutral ENSO over the next several months; but, at this point, we do not anticipate a significant El Niño event this summer/fall,” said researchers Philip J Klotzbach and Michael M Bell, in a statement.

They said the western tropical Atlantic is anomalously warm right now, while portions of the eastern tropical Atlantic and far North Atlantic are anomalously cool.

“Consequently, our Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation index is near its long-term average. We anticipate a slightly above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean,” they said.

As is the case with all hurricane seasons, they warned coastal residents that “it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them.

“They should prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted,” the researchers said.

Earlier this week, a cross-section of 350 representatives from government, private sector, non-profit and civil organisations gathered at the University of Miami (UM) to explore partnerships to “build back a better” the Caribbean that was ravaged by the two “horrific hurricanes” last year.

Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused widespread destruction when they passed through the Lesser Antilles last September, particularly in the Caribbean islands of Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.