The 2017 hurricane season, already forecast to churn out more storms than usual, is likely to get even busier.
On Wednesday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration increased its forecast, just as the season peak nears, calling for 14 to 19 names storms, five to nine hurricanes and two to five major hurricanes with winds topping 111 mph. That’s slightly above the 11 to 17 named storms and two to four major hurricanes predicted at the start of the season.
“What’s different is these conducive conditions are now in place. We had expected them to develop as the season went on, which is why the May forecast called for an active season,” said Gerry Bell, NOAA’s lead hurricane researcher. “These conditions will persist.”
Read more at our news partner, the Miami Herald.