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NOAA increases predicted numbers of storms, hurricanes | TBO.com

MIAMI –

By ROB SHAW | The Tampa Tribune Published: August 04, 2011 Updated: August 04, 2011 – 12:03 PM

Emily’s out there now.

And there will be plenty more in her wake.

That’s the word from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration this morning, which released its updated outlook for this year’s hurricane season.

Forecasters say the season, which runs through Nov. 30, should have between 14 and 19 named storms. That’s up from the May forecast of 12 to 18.

The expected number of hurricanes has jumped to seven to 10 from six to 10.

A typical season has 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

“The atmosphere and Atlantic Ocean are primed for high hurricane activity during August through October,” Gerry Bell, lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, said in a news release. “Storms through October will form more frequently and become more intense than we’ve seen so far this season.”

With Emily’s meandering through the Caribbean this week and dropping torrential rains, there have been five named storms already this season.

Normally, the fifth named storm of the season doesn’t even form until the end of August.

Reduced wind shear and lower air pressure across the Atlantic Ocean are factors in the revised forecast. In additions, the waters of the Atlantic are above normal as well – the third warmest on record.

http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/aug/04/2/noaa-forecasters-set-to-update-hurricane-outlook-ar-248311/

MIAMI (AP) – The National Weather Service says Tropical Storm Emily has formed southeast of Puerto Rico, and warnings have been issued for several islands in the Caribbean.

Forecasters said the storm was about 350 miles (563.24 kilometers) southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico. It had sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving west at 17 mph (27.36 kph).

The weather service said a tropical storm warning was in effect for Puerto Rico and the islands of Vieques and Culebra. The government of France issued a tropical storm warning for the islands of Guadeloupe, Desirade, Les Saints and Marie Galante. The government of Barbados issued a tropical storm warning for St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat and Antigua.

Tropical storm watches were in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Haiti.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/weather/weather_news/tropical-storm-emily-forms-in-atlantic%3B-path-points-toward-florida