Caribbean should brace for “extremely active” hurricane season this year – NOAA

The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting an extremely active hurricane season this year.

In its 2013 Atlantic hurricane season outlook, the NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, said 2013 would be prolific in raising storms out of the Atlantic and the Caribbean.

During the six-month hurricane season, which begins June 1, it is forecasted that there is a 70 percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms, with winds of 63 kph (40 mph) or higher.

Seven to 11 of those storms could become hurricanes with winds of 120 kph (74 mph) or higher, including three to six major hurricanes – Category 3, 4 or 5 and winds of 178 kph (111 mph) or higher.

“These ranges are well above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes,” it said.

NOAA acting administrator, Dr. Kathryn Sullivan said with the devastation of Hurricane Sandy still fresh in many people’s minds and another active season predicted “everyone at NOAA is committed to providing life-saving forecasts in the face of these storms. -(CMC)