Cause of quiet 2007 hurricane season found

Greenbelt, Md -- U.S. scientists say hot, dry Sahara desert air blowing over the Atlantic Ocean contributed to the quieter-than-expected 2007 hurricane season.

Researchers said factors such as sea surface temperatures, wind and sea level pressure led the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to forecast an above average number of hurricanes last year. But the season only produced six hurricanes -- a near normal number, but fewer than the 10 expected and far fewer than 2005's record-breaking 15 hurricanes.

Scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Goddard Spaceflight Center in Greenbelt, Md., analyzed the 2007 and 2005 seasons and discovered the difference in the number of hurricanes occurring might be due in part to the westward reach of Saharan dry air and dust over the North Atlantic.

The researchers said their findings might lead to more accurate hurricane season forecasts.

The study is detailed in the journal Geophysical research Letters.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.