"Hell of a Year" for 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Hurricane season is almost upon us again.  The season runs from June to November and, according to experts, this year is going to yield an above-average threat in the Atlantic.

In what experts are calling a "hell of a year" 18 named storms have been predicted, 10 hurricanes and five intense hurricanes rated as Category 3 with winds of 110-130 mph or greater.  Past averages from 1950-2009 have ranged around 10 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 intense hurricanes. 

Weather Services International has given the eastern coastal region of the United States from the Outer Banks of North Carolina northward to Maine as an area that should expect twice as likely the normal hurricane experience.

To date, the most active hurricane season in history was the 2005 Atlantic season which left more than 1,500 deaths and more than $115 billion in damages from hurricanes such as Katrina and Rita.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration releases its updated 2010 hurricane season forecast today.

For more information:
Weather Services International:  http://www.wsi.com/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:  http://www.noaa.gov/
MSNBC.com "Weather" article:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37360717/ns/weather/