HALIFAX — The Canadian Hurricane Centre is predicting a slightly below-average hurricane season because forecasters are anticipating the emergence of a disruptive El Niño climate pattern.

The Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1 and ends on Nov. 30.

Senior meteorologist Bob Robichaud says the arrival of El Niño results in warmer water rising to the surface of the Pacific Ocean near the equator, which is expected to happen around the same time hurricane season peaks in September.

Robichaud says the El Niño phenomenon creates wind shear on the western side of the Atlantic, where it can disrupt the formation of hurricanes by tearing them apart.

As a result, fewer tropical storms than average are expected to form this season, but Robichaud stressed that Canadians should not let their guard down.

He says it would be wise to prepare for rough, damaging weather because one or two named storms typically have some impact on Canadian territory every year.