An average Atlantic hurricane season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. The two main reasons meteorologists expect the upcoming season to be so above average are extreme levels of heat in the Atlantic Ocean and the seasonal shift to La Niña.
Ocean heat is the fuel for extreme storms. It may increase the risk of rapid intensification, when hurricane-force winds suddenly worsen as they approach the coast.. The storm that hit the West Coast now threatens the Center of the country with severe weather.