The 2016 Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be near-average by the Colorado State University forecasting team.
The team is calling for an Atlantic hurricane season with 13 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 intense hurricanes.
The long-term averages for the period 1971 – 2010 were 12 named storms, 6.5 hurricanes, and 2 intense hurricanes.
The outlook also calls for a 50% chance of a major hurricane hitting the U.S. in 2016, with a 30% chance for the East Coast and Florida Peninsula and a 29% chance for the Gulf Coast.
The prediction comes as warm water conditions in the eastern Pacific Ocean, which help keep Atlantic hurricane activity down, change to a cooler water condition that allows Atlantic hurricanes to form more easily.
