As the Atlantic Hurricane Season entered its historical peak in August, atmospheric and oceanic conditions continue to favor an above-normal season.
Forecasters from the National Weather Service have updated the number of expected named storms to 13-18, of which 5-9 could become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or greater, including 2-5 major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or greater.
The adjusted ranges are for the entire season — from June 1 though Nov. 30 — and are inclusive of the five named storms that had formed as of Aug. 13.
In the Atlantic basin, a typical hurricane season will yield 14 named storms, of which seven become hurricanes and three become major hurricanes.
The likelihood of above-normal activity is 50%.
“Many of the factors we identified ahead of the season are still at play, and conditions are largely tracking along with our May predictions,” Matt Rosencrans, lead hurricane season forecaster with the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, part of the National Weather Service, said in a news release.