The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting near or above normal hurricane season this year in the Atlantic Basin.
"We're predicting 10 to 16 tropical storms - the average is 12, so that's average or above," lead NOAA forecaster Gerry Bell said Thursday.
"We're also predicting 5 to 9 hurricanes - that's quite a few hurricanes," Bell added. One to four of those could become a Category 3 or higher hurricane.
The Atlantic Basin comprises the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
Hurricane season officially starts June 1st, but it's off to an early start with the naming of Subtropical Storm Alberto on Friday.
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