Adding to previous predictions, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is also projecting an above-normal season of storm activity in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico and Central America.
There is a 75% chance that the 2007 Hurricane Season will be unusually active with experts at NOAA predicting 13 to 17 named storms, with 7 to 10 becoming hurricanes and 3 to 5 becoming major hurricanes at Category 3 or more.
An average year would see 11 named storms, 6 becoming hurricanes with 2 of those being major hurricanes.
Last year's predictions turned out to be too high when an unexpected El Niño developed creating an atmosphere hostile to storm development. The likelihood of a La Niña developing this season is what has caused predictions of a highly active hurricane season. But even without La Niña, the conditions are ripe for an above-normal season, including warmer than normal water temperatures for the Atlantic Ocean.
Subtropical Storm Andrea occurred in May 2007 before the official start of the season which runs from June 1 to November 30.
The names for the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season are Andrea (used May 2007), Barry, Chantal, Dean, Erin, Felix, Gabrielle, Humberto, Ingrid, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Noel, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van and Wendy.
NOAA is urging people to update their hurricane plans now and be prepared for the coming season.
The next NOAA update will be in August just before what is considered to be the peak of the season.
