The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is announcing its hurricane forecast for this year.
NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said the organization is predicting an above normal hurricane season. Spinrad said NOAA believes there will be between 14 to 21 named storms that touch down in the Atlantic throughout the year. They anticipate 10 hurricanes. If NOAA’s projections hold true this will be a record seventh consecutive year of above-normal activity.
Spinrad notes forecasters are able to figure out the intensity of storms way earlier in its cycle than previous years, which is key to avoiding harmful impact from hurricanes.
On the Pacific side, NOAA’s prediction is for 10 to 17 named storms. An average eastern Pacific hurricane season produces 15 named storms. Most don’t threaten the U.S. mainland.
Source: USA Today