NOAA Predicts Above-Normal Atlantic Hurricane Season

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a higher-than-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2011. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center says it is likely that there will be 12-18 named storms this year, six to ten of which could become hurricanes. Of those, the center predicts that three to six may become major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5). Each of these ranges, says NOAA, has a 70% likelihood, and indicate that activity will exceed the seasonal average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.