By Curtis Williams
HOUSTON (Reuters) – The Atlantic hurricane season will have an average number of storms and hurricanes this year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said on Thursday.
NOAA forecasters estimate 12 to 17 named storms of which 5 to 9 of those will develop into hurricanes and one to four will become major hurricanes during the June 1 to Nov. 30 season.
A tropical storm brings sustained winds of at least 39 miles per hour (63 kph), a hurricane has winds of at least 74 mph and major hurricanes pack winds of at least 111 miles per hour and can bring devastating damage.
Last year broke a six-year string of above-normal hurricane seasons with the strongest that year being Hurricane Ian, which spawned 150 mph winds and hit Florida and South Carolina.
(Reporting by Curtis Williams in Houston)
