NOAA says above-average hurricane season likely

8/8/2008 12:49:04 PM

Contact: Elizabeth Daly-Watts, 727-562-4333

In the August update to the Atlantic hurricane season outlook, NOAA's Climate Prediction Center has increased the likelihood of an above-normal hurricane season and has raised the total number of named storms and hurricanes that may form.

The updated August outlook includes 14 to 18 named storms, seven to ten becoming hurricanes and three to six of those being major hurricanes.

In May, the outlook called for 12 to 16 named storms, including six to nine hurricanes and two to five major hurricanes. An average Atlantic hurricane season has 11 named storms, including six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

To read more go to: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080807_hurricaneoutlook.html