Hurricane Season Starts Sunday in Eastern Pacific

Sunday marks the official start of the 2011 hurricane season in the EasternPacific, a season which is expected to exceed the amount of named tropicalsystems from last year by twofold.AccuWeather.com meteorologists are predicting an average number of tropicalsystems to develop in the Eastern Pacific this year.

The basin averages 15 tropical storms each season. Out of those, nine becomehurricanes, with four reaching major hurricane status.

Fifteen named storms would more than double the total from last year. Onlyseven named storms formed in the Eastern Pacific in 2010, with three reachinghurricane status.

"Last year was... about as quiet as it can get," stated AccuWeather.com WesternExpert Meteorologist Ken Clark.

"A strengthening La Nistorms [last year]," reported AccuWeather.com Staff Writer Gina Cherundolo inher recap of the 2010 Eastern Pacific hurricane season.

A weakening La Niback to normal this year.

"The water [in the Eastern Pacific] will steadily warm, which will lead tolower pressure," stated AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist BobSmerbeck. Lower pressure will then open the door for the development oftropical systems.

"Since the pressure will remain slightly above average early in the season, weare not expecting a quick start," Smerbeck added.

There are clusters of thunderstorms currently streaming across the EasternPacific, but none show signs of future development.

The first tropical storm to develop in the Eastern Pacific this year willacquire the name "Adrian."Story by Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist