Researchers are predicting an "above-average" 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, with 17 named storms and eight hurricanes.
Of those eight hurricanes, four are expected to be major, according to the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project.
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Dr. Philip Klotzbach, hurricane specialist at CSU, presented the forecast Thursday during the National Tropical Weather Conference.
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Klotzbach said the primary reason for the above-average forecast is based on a predicted lack of El Niño and a warmer-than-normal subtropical Atlantic Ocean.
The hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30.
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An average hurricane season generally produces 12 named storms and six hurricanes.
The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season was record-breaking, with 30 named storms and 13 hurricanes, including six major hurricanes.
The 2020 season was only the second time the Greek alphabet was utilized to complete a season.
The U.S.’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is expected to release their forecast in May.
