NOAA predicts 'above normal' hurricane season - WLOX-TV and WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

SUITLAND, MD (RNN) - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) predicted an "above normal" Atlantic hurricane season for 2011.

"It will likely include 12 to 18 named storms, with winds of 39 MPH or greater," said Jane Lubchenco, under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

Of those storms, six to 10 could become hurricanes, with winds of at least 74 MPH.

Of those storms, three to six could become major hurricanes, rated categories three to five, with winds 111 MPH or greater.

Since 1995, conditions considered especially favorable for hurricane formation have been in place. Other conditions that led to the current forecast include water temperatures being 2 degrees higher than normal and La Nina's impact.

La Nina is an oceanic and atmospheric phenomenon characterized by "cooler than normal sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific ocean that impact global weather patterns," according to NOAA.

The weather phenomenon makes winter weather warmer than normal in the Southeastern U.S.

NOAA did not predict where any specific hurricane might make landfall, or when, as these are dependent on the "specific conditions of the time and place where that hurricane is," Lubchenco said.

Last year, there were 19 named storms. Of those, 12 became hurricanes - the second-highest total on record for a hurricane season.

Fortunately, winds steered those storms away from U.S. coastlines, Lubchenco said, noting the devastation they caused in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

"However, we can't count on luck to get us through this season," she said.

Although La Nina will dissipate in early summer, its lingering effects will likely reduce the wind sheers that push storms away and also aid in their formation.

Craig Fugate, a FEMA administrator on hand at Wednesday afternoon's news conference, reminded the public that national hurricane preparedness week begins Sunday.

"Even with a perfect forecast, it doesn't mean there won't be devastation," Fugate said, urging the public to prepare as soon as possible for the coming six-month storm season.

The 2012 hurricane season begins on June 1.

An average hurricane season has 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

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