Saturday, May 21, 2011

2011 Mid Atlantic Hurricane Outlook

According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, the Atlantic basin is expected to see an above-normal hurricane season this year.

Across the entire Atlantic Basin for the six-month season, which begins June 1, NOAA is predicting the following ranges this year:

- 12 to 18 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which:

- 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including:

- 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher)

Each of these ranges has a 70 percent likelihood, and indicate that activity will exceed the seasonal average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

NOAA’s seasonal hurricane outlook does not predict where and when any of these storms may hit. Landfall is dictated by weather patterns in place at the time the storm approaches. For each storm, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center forecasts how these weather patterns affect the storm track, intensity and landfall potential.

Visit ready.gov to learn more. And if you’re a small business owner, visit http://www.ready.gov/business to ensure that your business is prepared for a disaster,” added Fugate.

May 22-28, is national Hurricane Preparedness Week. A new set of video and audio public service announcements featuring NOAA hurricane experts and the FEMA administrator are available at: http://www.hurricanes.gov/prepare

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