NOAA Predicts Active Hurricane Season

New York (dBTechNo) - The U.S. can expect 13 to 16 named storms this year, according to the The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

This forecast included 7 to 9 hurricanes with 3 to 5 of them being “major” hurricanes. To be classified as a major hurricane, the Storm much reach Category 3 strength or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale said NOAA.

Lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, Gerry Bell, attributes increased activity to warmer sea surface temperatures in the Caribbean Sea as well as the Atlantic Ocean.

“Most of the atmospheric and oceanic conditions have developed as expected, and are consistent with those predicted in May,” said Bell. “The biggest wild card in the May outlook was whether or not La Niña would form, and if so, how strong it would be.”

La Niña is defined as cooler than normal sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific ocean that impact global weather patterns. La Niña conditions recur every few years and can persist for as long as two years.

“We are already observing wind patterns similar to those created by La Niña across the tropical Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea that encourage tropical cyclone development. The conditions are ripe for an above-normal season,” Bell observed.

“The conditions are ripe for an above-normal season.,’ added Bell.