If the season does indeed turn out to be this active, it could put a strain on the list of hurricane names. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has a list of 21 names for Atlantic hurricanes, and they are used in alphabetical order. If there are more than 21 named storms in a season, the WMO will start using names from the Greek alphabet.
The last time the WMO had to use Greek alphabet names was in 2005, when there were 28 named storms. That year, Hurricane Katrina was the deadliest and most destructive hurricane to ever hit the United States.
NOAA's forecast for an above-average hurricane season is based on several factors, including warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and the presence of a La Niña weather pattern. La Niña is a climate phenomenon that causes the waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean to cool, which can lead to increased hurricane activity in the Atlantic.
The NOAA forecast is a reminder that it is important to be prepared for hurricanes, even if you live in an area that is not typically affected by these storms. Hurricanes can cause widespread damage and flooding, and they can also be deadly. It is important to have a hurricane plan in place and to make sure that you have enough food, water, and supplies to last for several days.
