The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting an average or near normal hurricane season with 15 named storms.
Meteorologists said there will likely be 4 to 8 hurricanes. 2 to 4 of those are expected to be major hurricanes meaning a category 3, 4 , or 5 with wind speeds of 111 mph or higher.
The ongoing El Nino is expected to suppress some weather activity, but officials at NOAA are balancing that data point with predictions of warmer-than-average sea-surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and an enhanced west African monsoon, both of which favor increased hurricane activity.
The 2019 hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30.
Just in: NOAA's Atlantic #HurricaneSeason Outlook 2019 predicts 70% likelihood of 9-15 named storms of which 4-8 could become hurricanes, including 2-4 major hurricanes. More at https://t.co/18Jafmlnsv @NWS pic.twitter.com/BtW1fv6jIC
— NOAA (@NOAA) May 23, 2019
