NC State researchers predict normal hurricane season

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Researchers from North Carolina State University are predicting a normal hurricane season.

The Atlantic hurricane season goes from June 1 to November 30.

NC State researchers predict the upcoming season will see 11 to 15 named storms. The number of named storms predicted is on the higher end of long-term averages, but lower end of recent 30-year averages.

Of the predicted 11 to 15 named storms, six to eight may grow strong enough to become hurricanes with two to three storms becoming major hurricanes.

Meanwhile researchers at Colorado State University, a university that works closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), predicted a 'slightly below-average' hurricane season.

CSU forecasters are calling for 13 named storms (the average is 14), six hurricanes (the average is seven), and two major hurricanes defined as Category 3 or higher (the average is three).

According to CSU meteorologist Dr. Philip Klotzbach, who specializes in Atlantic basin seasonal hurricane forecasts, the amount of storms is right in line with an "average" season or even slightly below normal.

The official NOAA hurricane season outlook will be released in May (and then updated in August).

Last year, scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted 14 to 20 named storms, with six to 10 of those becoming hurricanes and three to five of them becoming major.

The 2022 season ended with 14 named storms, eight becoming hurricanes and two reaching major hurricane intensity.