Since 2000, the Laboratory for Atmospheric Research at City University of Hong Kong have been issuing real-time predictions of the annual number of tropical cyclones affecting the western North Pacific. Verifications of the predictions have shown that the predictions are mostly correct within the error bars.

　

Starting from the 2009/10 season, we will attempt to issue real-time forecasts of the annual number of tropical cyclones affecting the Australian region (90°E-160°E, 40°S-0°N) and its subregion (western Australian region, 90°E-135°E, 40°S-0°N). These should be considered as experimental forecasts and verifications will be made after each season.  A more thorough evaluation of the performance of the prediction equation will be made in a few years.