Weather forecasters have issued their predictions for how active the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season will be

NEW YORK (TIP): It is going to be an active hurricane season. That’s the word from long-range weather forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who are predicting an above-average hurricane season in the Atlantic this year with as many 25 named storms developing.

Atlantic Storm Names

Alberto

 Beryl Chris

Debby

Ernesto

Francine

Gordon

Helene

Isaac

Joyce

Kirk

Leslie

Milton

Nadine

Oscar

Patty

Rafael

Sara

Tony

Valerie

William

(Source :National Hurricane Center) 

The government forecasters say very warm water temperatures and a transition from the current El Niño weather pattern to a La Niña pattern later this year will likely enhance the number of tropical storms and hurricanes that form in the Atlantic hurricane basin. Reduced Atlantic trade winds and less wind shear are also factors that favor tropical storm formation, the NOAA said.