NOAA says near-normal hurricane season likely this year

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOASS) Climate Prediction Center says the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, will most likely be near-normal, but forecast uncertainty in the climate signals that influence the formation of Atlantic storms make predicting this season particularly difficult. NOAA predicts a 70 percent likelihood of 10 to 16 named storms, of which 4 to 8 could become hurricanes, including 1 to 4 major hurricanes with a category 3, 4 or 5 strength rating. While a near-normal season is most likely with a 45 percent chance, there is also a 30 percent chance of an above-normal season and a 25 percent chance of a below-normal season. Read more at NOAA….