NOAA predicts more hurricanes, storms in ?11

NOAA predicts more hurricanes, storms in Æ11    Shipping lines serving the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico may have to contend with more storms this year than is normal, according to a division of the National Weather Service.
   The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center is forecasting 12 to 18 named storms with winds of 39 mph or more across the entire Atlantic Basin in the six months beginning June 1.
   It went on to say six to 10 of those could become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher, and that three to six of those could be Category 3, 4 or 5 storms with winds of more than 111 mph.
   It said those predictions have a 70 percent likelihood. On average, there are just 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.
   'The United States was fortunate last year. Winds steered most of the season's tropical storms and all hurricanes away from our coastlines,' said Jane Lubchenco, NOAA administrator. 'However we can't count on luck to get us through this season. We need to be prepared, especially with this above-normal outlook.'