Hurricane season starts

Today is the first official day of the Atlantic hurricane season.

According to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center, a below-normal season is expected.

The hurricane outlook predicts a 70 percent chance of six to 11 named storms (39 mph winds or greater).

An estimated three to six of these storms may reach hurricane status (74 mph winds or greater), and of those zero to two major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; 111 mph winds or higher).

One of the greatest factors leading to a below-normal season is the presence of an El Niño in the Pacific, which alters the wind and pressure patterns in the Atlantic.