Today the forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center said we can expect a near-normal Atlantic hurricane season this year. This year’s outlook is being influenced by enhanced rainfall over West Africa, warmer Atlantic waters, reduced wind shear, and the possible development of an El Nino in the Eastern Pacific this summer.

The predictions are:

9-14 Named Storms

4-7 Hurricanes

1-3 Major Hurricanes

An average season has 11 named storms, including 6 hurricanes with 2 becoming major hurricanes.

Hurricane Season begins June 1st.