NOAA Increases Odds of Above-Normal Hurricane Season

This week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) updated its forecast and now predicts an above-normal hurricane season. In its report, NOAA said that “forecasters monitoring oceanic and atmospheric patterns say conditions are now more favorable for above-normal hurricane activity since El Nino has now ended. Two named storms have formed so far this year and the peak months of the hurricane season, August through October, are now underway.”

The likelihood of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season has increased to 45 percent (up from 30 percent from the outlook issued in May). The likelihood of near-normal activity is now at 35 percent, and the chance of below-normal activity has dropped to 20 percent. The number of predicted storms has also increased with NOAA now expecting 10-17 named storms (winds of 39 mph or greater), of which 5-9 will become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or greater), including 2-4 major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph or greater).

Click here to view the report.