NOAA/NESDIS/STAR GOES-East |

Up to five major hurricanes, classified as category 3 or higher, are predicted to form in the Atlantic Ocean before the end of November, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service (NWS).

The weather service, which is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), predicts an "above average season." Matthew Rosencrans, the lead hurricane season forecaster for the NWS, said it's already ahead of schedule in terms of named storms.

"The fourth named storm is normally by August 15, and your first hurricane is normally by August 11," Rosencrans told Houston Public Media . "So we’re ahead on named storms, but we are likely to be behind on hurricanes."

Through the end of hurricane season Nov. 30, the agency i

See Full Page