US set for up to 15 storms during this year's hurricane season, weather officials say

Weather officials say the US could see up to 15 storms during the Atlantic hurricane season, but that it should be a "normal year".

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted nine to 15 named storms during an announcement on Thursday.

Four to eight will become hurricanes and two to four of those would become major hurricanes with 111 mph winds or higher, it said.

Acting NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs said a current El Nino - a periodic natural warming of the central Pacific that changes weather worldwide- is suppressing hurricane activity in the Atlantic.

However, other forces, including warmer-than-normal seawater can counter that.

NOAA forecaster Gerry Bell said this year's forecast had "competing factors" that balanced out.

The NOAA added that there's a 40 per cent chance of a normal season, with 30 per chances of both stronger and weaker seasons.

"That's still a lot of activity," said Mr Bell. "You need to start to prepare for hurricane season now."

Hurricane season traditionally starts 1 June, but this week subtropical storm Andrea briefly popped up, marking the fifth straight year a named storm came in May or earlier.

Some other non-government forecasters predict a weaker storm season than NOAA, pointing to the El Nino.

Colorado State University, which pioneered hurricane season predictions, is forecasting 13 named storms, five to become hurricanes and two to hit major status.

Hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach predicted that overall the Atlantic season will be about three-quarters strong as a normal season.

Klotzbach's team predicted a 48 per cent chance that a storm will hit the US coastline, slightly less than the normal 52 per cent chance.

IBM's Weather Company calls for 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three majors. Accuweather calls for 12 to 14 named storms, five to seven hurricanes and two to four major storms.

Last year, saw 15 named storms, eight hurricanes and two major ones, Florence and Michael, which killed 38 people in the US and caused $49 billion in damages.

The Atlantic basin averages 12 named storms a year, with six becoming hurricanes and three becoming major storms.

Agencies contributed to this report.