ANOTHER "MORE ACTIVE THEN NORMAL " SEASON.

• Position: HURRICANES

For the seventh year in a row, University of Arizona forecasters say to prepare for an above-average hurricane season, which runs from June 1-Nov. 30. However, this year is not expected to be quite as active as recent years. The forecast shows 14 named storms and seven hurricanes developing over the Atlantic Ocean. Three of those seven are expected to develop into major hurricanes, which are classified as category 3 or above.

This prediction is only slightly higher than the seasonal median since 1980, which is 13 named storms and seven hurricanes, two of which are major hurricanes.

When sea surface water is warm, storms can increase evaporation from the water, which creates moisture in the air. In combination with the right wind conditions, storms become hurricanes and the condensation of moisture releases heat energy to fuel the storm.

"Sea surface temperatures play a big role and, this year, the sea surface temperatures over the Atlantic Ocean are only slightly warmer than usual," says Xubin Zeng, professor of...