NOAA released its 2021 Atlantic hurricane outlook Thursday, which once again called for an above-average seasons.
Their initial forecast called for 13-20 named storms, with six to 10 becoming hurricanes, and of those, three to five reaching category three or greater strength.
“Although NOAA scientists don’t expect this season to be as busy as last year, it only takes one storm to devastate a community,” said Ben Friedman, acting NOAA administrator. “The forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are well-prepared with significant upgrades to our computer models, emerging observation techniques, and the expertise to deliver the life-saving forecasts that we all depend on during this, and every, hurricane season.”
Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are already watching an area of interest in the Atlantic close to Bermuda for the possibility of a short-lived subtropical storm forming.