The Atlantic Hurricane season formally begins this Saturday, June 1, and in its recently released forecast the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts “near-normal” activity this year. NOAA predicts a likely range of 9 to 15 named storms, of which 4 to 8 could become hurricanes, including 2 to 4 major hurricanes. According to NOAA, an average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which 6 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes. NOAA has also announced new technologies and approaches it is incorporating into its operations to assist with hurricane response. These include the addition of three next-generation satellites to its fleet of Earth-observing satellites, which will provide unique and valuable data to feed hurricane forecast models. NOAA’s National Hurricane Center and its National Weather Service office in San Juan will expand the coastal storm surge watches and warnings in 2019 to include Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, NHC will display excessive rainfall outlooks on its website, providing greater visibility of one of the most dangerous inland threats from hurricanes. Read the report at NOAA.