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Published: May 24, 2011
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According to a seasonal outlook issued by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, the Atlantic basin is expected to see an above-normal hurricane season this year.
 
Across the entire Atlantic Basin for the six-month season, which begins June 1, NOAA is predicting the following ranges this year:

 - 12 to 18 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which:

 - 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including:

 - 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher)

Each of these ranges has a 70 percent likelihood, and indicate that activity will exceed the seasonal average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

"The United States was fortunate last year. Winds steered most of the season’s tropical storms and all hurricanes away from our coastlines," said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "However we can’t count on luck to get us through this season. We need to be prepared, especially with this above-normal outlook."

Hurricane impacts are not limited to the coastline; strong winds and flooding rainfall often pose a threat across inland areas along with the risk for tornadoes.

May 22-28, 2011 is national Hurricane Preparedness Week. To help prepare residents of hurricane-prone areas, NOAA is unveiling a new set of video and audio public service announcements which are available at: http://www.hurricanes.gov/prepare

 

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