Hurricanes To Impact U.S. More In 2011, Says AccuWeather

NU Online News Service, March  31, 3:04 p.m. EST

Early indications point to a more active hurricane season for the United States in 2011 compared to last year, AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center meteorologists say.

Though activity during last year’s hurricane season was high, with 19 named storms and 12 hurricanes, the U.S. was not directly affected by a landfall.

However in 2011 Texas could see action as early as June and early July, says Paul Pastelok, long-range forecasting team leader. Forecaster Dan Kottlowski adds that by mid- to late-season, Florida, southeastern states and the Gulf States could be impacted by a landfall.

AccuWeather.com marks the Texas Gulf coast, the south tip of Florida and the Carolinas as areas of higher concern for the 2011 hurricane season.

The hurricane season begins June first and lasts until the end of November.

The team predicts another year of higher-than-normal storm activity with 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes of at least Category 3 strength.

At the start of the year the team of Philip Klotzbach and William Gray at Colorado State University's Tropical Meteorology Project projected 17 named storms in 2011, including nine hurricanes and five major hurricanes.

Weather Services International (WSI), part of the Weather Channel Companies, delivered the same prediction for the 2011 season.