The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season is an ongoing event in tropical cyclone formation in the Atlantic basin. This season officially began on June 1 and will officially end on November 30, dates that delimit the start and end of the season. However, the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time of year, as shown by Tropical Storm Arlene. This season is likely going to have ENSO-neutral or Weak El Nino conditions, based on current long-range models. This season will also be the first season in which the NHC issues advisories on potential tropical cyclones threatening land.
On December 13, 2016, Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) issued their first prediction for the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, forecasting near average activity with 14 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. They said in their prediction that there was high uncertainty with the outcome of the season, as typical with their December forecasts. The next day, Colorado State University (CSU) issued their annual December qualitative discussion, noting that the activity of the season would be heavily dependent on whether El Nino develops and the state of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). In this discussion, probabilities were slightly higher for an above-normal season than a below-normal season.
On April 5, 2016, TSR released its April forecast, lowering their numbers to 11 named storms, 4 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes with an ACE of around 67 due to the possibility of El Nino. The next day, Colorado State University (CSU) released its April forecast, also predicting 11 named storms, 4 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes. They predicted an ACE of 75, slightly more than TSR. On April 17, 2017, The Weather Channel issued their 2017 forecast, predicting 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes.
Tropical Storm Bret was a rare storm that formed in the Main Development Region in June, an unusual occurrence. Bret would make landfall in Trinidad and Tobago, and then Venezuela, causing minimal damage and two deaths (one direct, one indirect).
Tropical Storm Cindy developed in the Gulf of Mexico on June 20, and went on to landfall 2 days later in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, becoming the first to landfall in the state since Hurricane Isaac of 2012. Damage was minimal and 2 people were killed (One direct, one indirect).
The following names will be used in the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. They are on List III of the 6 rotating naming lists used for the Atlantic basin. This list is largely the same as the one used in the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season with the exception of Irma, which replaced the destructive Irene. If this list is exhausted, the Greek alphabet will be used, as it was in the hyperactive 2005 Atlantic hurricane season.
