US weather forecasters predict the hurricane season that begins today will bring a more than average number of hurricanes. Hurricanes developing over the Atlantic may affect the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico and the East and Gulf Coasts of the United States. The Atlantic Basin hurricane season extends through 30 November. An above-average hurricane season typically brings 11 or more tropical storms, of which seven or more become hurricanes, with three or more classified as Category 3, with sustained winds surpassing 110 miles/170 kilometers per hour. The names for this year’s hurricanes in order of appearance will be: Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Florence, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Keith, Leslie, Michael, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sandy, Tony, Valerie and William.For those interested in reading the forecasts, go to: http://tropical.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/ http://www.noaa.gov/ (1 June 2000)
