Active Hurricane Season Predicted

Government forecasters say record high temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean will keep this hurricane season on track to be the busiest since 2005.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday said 14 to 20 named tropical storms are expected to develop, with eight to 12 storms strengthening into hurricanes. Four to six of those hurricanes could become major storms with sustained winds of at least 111 mph.

That’s slightly fewer storms than NOAA expected in May. But lead seasonal hurricane forecaster Gerry Bell says ocean temperatures and a climate phenomenon known as La Nina favor more storm development.

Three named storms have developed since hurricane season began June 1: Hurricane Alex and tropical storms Bonnie and Colin.