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NOAA predicts 'active or extremely active' hurricane season

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NOAA predicts 'active or extremely active' hurricane season

Expect an eventful 2013 Atlantic hurricane season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Thursday.

Delivering its annual outlook, NOAA's Climate Prediction Center said it foresees an “active or extremely active” hurricane season this year, which begins June 1.

For the six-month season, NOAA projects a 70% likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms, including seven to 11 hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher) and three to six major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher).

NOAA said a combination of factors, including a strong West African monsoon season, warmer-than-average water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea; and the lack of an El Niño pattern, underlie their predictions.

“This year, oceanic and atmospheric conditions in the Atlantic basin are expected to produce more and stronger hurricanes,” Gerry Bell, lead seasonal hurricane forecaster with NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, said in a statement. “These conditions include weaker wind shear, warmer Atlantic waters and conducive wind patterns coming from Africa.”

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Kathryn Sullivan, NOAA acting administrator, urged U.S. residents to prepare for hurricane season.

“As we saw firsthand with Sandy, it's important to remember that tropical storm and hurricane impacts are not limited to the coastline,” Ms. Sullivan said in a statement. “Strong winds, torrential rain, flooding and tornadoes often threaten inland areas far from where the storm first makes landfall.”

In a separate statement, Christopher Hackett, director, personal lines policy for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, also urged hurricane preparedness.

“These projections show we can expect another active hurricane season, and experience has shown that a major storm can strike anywhere along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts,” Mr. Hackett said. “While the hurricane risk is greatest in Florida, Hurricane Sandy reminded us that any area along the coast is vulnerable.”