Above‐normal Atlantic basin hurricane season forecast

Abstract

Between three and six major hurricanes with winds of 111 miles per hour and greater could whip across the Atlantic basin during what is forecast to be an above‐normal 2011 hurricane season, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center (NOAA CPC). Including those, there could be a total of 6–10 hurricanes with winds of 74 miles per hour or greater and 12–18 named storms with winds of 39 miles per hour or greater during the hurricane season, which officially begins on 1 June and lasts for 6 months, NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco said at a 19 May briefing. There is a 70% likelihood for these ranges occurring, according to NOAA.