Active hurricane season predicted in Atlantic

It could be a very active hurricane season along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Coast, if the forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) holds true. 

National Weather Service forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center predict it will be an above-normal hurricane season with anywhere from 17-25 named storms in the Atlantic.  The hurricane season in the Atlantic is from June 1-Nov. 30.

Of that number 8-13 could become hurricanes and 4-7 could become major hurricanes, which are considered to be Category 3, 4, or 5 with winds of 111 miles per hour or higher.  

“The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to have above-normal activity due to a confluence of factors, including near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, development of La Nina conditions in the Pacific, reduced Atlantic trade winds and less wind shear, all of which tend to favor tropical storm formation,” NOAA reported in a news release.  

Click here for the complete news release from NOAA. Image credit to NOAA.