NOAA: Atlantic hurricane season will be near normal; 10 to 16 named storms forecast
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season will be near normal. Forecasters on Friday said they expect 10 to 16 named storms, including four to eight hurricanes, this season.
Posted — UpdatedForecasters on Friday said they expect 10 to 16 named storms, including four to eight hurricanes, this season. The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
NOAA's Climate Prediction Center says uncertainty in the "climate signals" that influence the formation of Atlantic storms make predicting the season more difficult.
While the season doesn't officially begin until next week, one hurricane has already formed in the Atlantic Ocean this year: Hurricane Alex formed in the middle of the Atlantic in January.
Friday's seasonal forecast from NOAA comes on the heels of an above-average forecast from researchers at North Carolina State University. Professor Lian Xie said in April that the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season could be "significantly more active" than the overall average since 1950.
Of the potential named storms in 2016, between eight and 11 could grow strong enough to become hurricanes, Xie said. Three to five could become major hurricanes.
New technology will give forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami the ability to predict storm surge. Alerts will be issued when flood waters reach 3 feet above ground level, which is considered life-threatening.
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