NOAA Hurricane Forecast 2022: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl

VIRGINIA/DC — Virginia and D.C. residents should get ready for another busy hurricane season.

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration is predicting up to 21 named storms, making it the 7th consecutive "above-average" hurricane season. Half of those could be major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher.

Forecasters at the NOAA's Climate Prediction Center on Tuesday released their annual prediction for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially begins June 1 and continues through Nov. 30.

According to this year's forecast, the ongoing La Niña, in addition to above-average ocean temperatures, means there's a 65 percent chance the 2022 hurricane season will be above normal.

For the 2022 season, forecasters are predicting 14 to 21 named storms with winds of 39 mph or higher. Of those, anywhere from six to 10 of the storms could become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher.

This year's season could also spawn anywhere from three to six major hurricanes rated a category 3 or higher, forecasters said.

NOAA's forecast is in line with one released in April by weather analysts at Colorado State University's Department of Atmospheric Science. According to Colorado State's model, the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season will be an active one that produces 19 named storms, nine hurricanes, and four major hurricanes reaching wind speeds of 111 mph and up.

Colorado State also forecast a 75 percent chance of a hurricane coming within 50 miles of Florida this season and a 44 percent chance of a major hurricane within 50 miles of Florida's coastline.

"As we reflect on another potentially busy hurricane season, past storms — such as Superstorm Sandy, which devastated the New York metro area ten years ago — remind us that the impact of one storm can be felt for years," NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said in a statement. "Since Sandy, NOAA's forecasting accuracy has continued to improve, allowing us to better predict the impacts of major hurricanes to lives and livelihoods."

In 2020's record-setting hurricane season, Hurricane Zeta formally reached the end of the United Nation's backup list of Greek letters for the first time as the 27th named storm of the year, NBC reported.

NOAA's forecast is for overall seasonal activity and is not a landfall forecast. The Climate Prediction Center will update the 2022 Atlantic outlook in early August, just prior to the historical peak of the season.

The American Red Cross offers these tips to make sure your family is ready to either evacuate or hunker down if a storm threatens your community.

• First, create an evacuation plan. Plan what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency or if you need to evacuate.
• Build an emergency kit with a gallon of water per person, per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, medications, supplies for infants or pets, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information.
• Stay informed. Find out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders.
• Download the free Red Cross Emergency app to have severe weather safety information right at your fingertips. The Emergency app provides real-time weather alerts and tips on how to stay safe during severe weather and countless other emergencies. Search "American Red Cross" in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps.

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