NOAA forecasts above-average Atlantic hurricane season

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters predict between six and 10 hurricanes, including three to five Category 3 or higher storms.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters are predicting an active Atlantic hurricane season with more storm activity than typical.

“We’re really looking at an above normal season,” said Ken Graham, a meteorologist and the director of the National Weather Service. “We’re calling for 13 to 19 named storms.”

Storms get names when their wind speeds reach 39 mph or higher. Six to 10 of the forecasted storms are expected to become hurricanes, with wind speeds exceeding 74 mph. NOAA expects three to five major hurricanes — Category 3 and above.

The forecasts do not predict if or where the hurricanes will make landfall or how many of these storms will strike U.S. coastlines. Still, now is the time to prepare, forecasters said.

“It’s a good time to go out there and get your supplies and your kit and put it together,” Graham said. “We’ve got to be ready. No lines for supplies today. No lines for gas, no lines for plywood, no lines for water.”