- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts a calmer-than-normal Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 to Nov. 30, but an above-normal eastern Pacific season for this year.
- A strong "super" El Niño climate pattern is expected to suppress hurricane development over the Atlantic Ocean while increasing conditions for storms in the eastern Pacific, contributing to a 70 percent chance of above-normal activity there.
- NOAA predicts the Atlantic will see 8 to 14 named storms, which have winds of 39 mph or higher. Between 3-6 are forecast to become hurricanes with winds 74 mph or higher, including 1-3 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5 with winds of 111 mph or higher). An average season has 14 named storms with seven hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.
- The eastern Pacific is predicted to see 9 to 14 hurricanes , including 5 to 9 major hurricanes, with potential impacts on Hawaii and sometimes the West Coast.
- Record-warm ocean temperatures, linked to climate change, are causing rapid intensification of storms, with systems potentially becoming major hurricanes within days, prompting officials to urge early preparation for non-perishable food, supplies, and medicine.
IN FULL
