NOAA releases predictions for Atlantic hurricane season.

Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are predicting a relatively normal hurricane season.
They are forecasting 9-15 named storms, with 2-4 hurricanes being category 3 or higher.

Neil Jacobs, acting NOAA admin states that the forecast reflects various climate factors. He goes on to say that the ongoing El Nino phenomenon will continue. While the El Nino effect is known to cut down the amount of storms forecasted during a hurricane season, the warming temperatures of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean, and an enhanced African monsoon, will increase the number and intensity of storms.

While 9-15 storms are being forecasted, the outlook does not suggest that all these storms will make landfall.

Hurricane names:

• Andrea (already formed)
• Barry
• Chantal
• Dorian
• Erin
• Fernand
• Gabrielle
• Humberto
• Imelda
• Jerry
• Karen
• Lorenzo
• Melissa
• Nestor
• Olga
• Pablo
• Sebastien
• Tanya
• Van
• Wendy

Hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30.

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