Brace for Active Hurricane Season, NOAA Warns

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) updated its outlook for the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season on Thursday, increasing its number of expected named storms, such as hurricanes, from its pre-season outlook released in May.

Forecasters also predicted that 2011 will be an active Atlantic hurricane season, due to a number of factors cited that include warmer Atlantic Ocean temperatures—the third warmest on record—and the possible redevelopment of La Niña.

“The atmosphere and Atlantic Ocean are primed for high hurricane activity during August through October,” Gerry Bell, Ph.D., lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at the Climate Prediction Center said in an announcement posted on the NOAA website.  “Storms through October will form more frequently and become more intense than we’ve seen so far this season.”

The NOAA noted that the Atlantic basin has already produced five named storms this season: Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don and Emily. Forecasters are closely watching Emily, which continues to develop and move towards the United States.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, updates its Atlantic hurricane season outlook every August.

For more information

• The NOAA's complete article about its outlook for the 2011 hurricane storm season can be read here.
• Read the Governor's recent call for residents to take necessary this hurricane season.
• The Potter League for Animals recommends that pet owners also have a during emergency situations.