"If a robust El Niño does not develop, the potential for an active Atlantic hurricane season still exists," according to the first outlook by Colorado State University (CSU) researchers.
The forecasters expect two major hurricanes, or those with wind speeds of at least 111 miles per hour (179 kph), to develop out of six hurricanes and 13 named storms.
An average Atlantic season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. Last year broke a six-year string of above-normal hurricane seasons. CSU had estimated four major hurricanes but only two developed, including Hurricane Ian that spawned 150 mph winds, and hit Florida and South Carolina.
There is a higher chance that this year's storms will strike the U.S. Gulf Coast rather than the Atlantic coast. CSU sees a 28% chance for a Gulf Coast hit and a 22% chance for strikes to the Atlantic coast, forecasters said.
Overall, there is a 44% chance for a strike along the U.S.
continental coastline and a 49% chance a major hurricane will
move through the Caribbean, Colorado State said.
(Reporting by Erwin Seba;
Editing by Sandra Maler)
