NOAA: Active hurricane season ?on track?

NOAA: Active hurricane season æon trackÆ    The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center said Thursday the Atlantic Basin remains 'on track' for an active hurricane season.
   'With the season's peak just around the corner — late August through October — the need for preparedness plans is essential,' NOAA said.
   NOAA also said that, as predicted last spring, La Ni'a has formed in the tropical Pacific Ocean. This favors lower wind shear over the Atlantic Basin, allowing storm clouds to grow and organize.
   'Other climate factors pointing to an active hurricane season are warmer-than-average water in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean, and the tropical multi-decadal signal, which since 1995 has brought favorable ocean and atmospheric conditions in unison, leading to more active seasons,' NOAA said.
   Across the entire Atlantic Basin for the whole season — June 1 to Nov. 30 — NOAA's updated outlook is projecting, with a 70 percent probability, a total of (including Alex, Bonnie and Colin):
   ' 14 to 20 named storms (top winds of 39 mph or higher).
   ' Eight to 12 hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or higher).
   ' Four to six could be major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of at least 111 mph).
   'These ranges are still indicative of an active season, compared to the average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes; however, the upper bounds of the ranges have been lowered from the initial outlook in late May, which reflected the possibility of even more early season activity,' NOAA said.