The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says conditions are now more favorable for above-normal hurricane activity since El Nino has now ended. Forecasters with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center have increased the likelihood of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season to 45%, up from 30% in May. The number of predicted storms is also greater with NOAA now expecting 10-17 named storms, including 2-4 major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or greater. On average, the Atlantic hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which six become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.  Two named storms have formed so far this year and the peak months of the hurricane season – August through October – are now underway.