Hurricane Season Prediction: 'Near Normal'

South Carolina has had an early look at the Atlantic hurricane season — with and Beryl expected to run parallel to the coast this weekend.

But the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sees little chance of an overly active season — which will officially begin June 1 and run through Nov. 30.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center expects nine to 15 named storms, with top winds of 39 mph or higher. Four to eight will reach hurricane strength with winds at least 74 mph. And up to three of those hurricanes are predicted to climb above 111 mph — the threshold for a major Category 3 storm.

According to NOAA, an average season produces 12 named storms with six hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.

The outlook predicts a less active season than we've become accustomed to in recent years, said NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco in a statement.

"But regardless of the outlook, it's vital for anyone living or vacationing in hurricane-prone locations to be prepared," she said.

Of course, the number of storms has nothing to do with the intensity and impact that one storm can muster. Twenty years ago, Hurricane Andrew tore through Florida in a storm season that only produced six named storms.