Forecasters now expect 70-percent chance of 12–17 named storms
In its updated 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook, NOAA calls for a higher likelihood of a near-normal or above-normal season, and decreases the chance of a below-normal season to only 15 percent, from the initial outlook issued in May. The season is still expected to be the most active since 2012.
![Hurricane Earl one day before making landfall in Belize taken from NOAA's GOES-East satellite on Aug. 3, 2016. (Image credit: NOAA) Hurricane Earl one day before making landfall in Belize taken from NOAA's GOES-East satellite on Aug. 3, 2016.](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_width_1275/public/legacy/image/2019/Jun/PHOTO-Hurricane%20Earl-81116-NOAA-1120x534-landscape.png?itok=gXeZfZ81)
Hurricane Earl one day before making landfall in Belize taken from NOAA's GOES-East satellite on Aug. 3, 2016. (Image credit: NOAA)