2019 hurricane season will be near normal NOAA forecasts Up to 4 major storms could form

Even though hurricane season doesn't begin until next week, Andrea already came and went earlier this week.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center also released its forecast on Thursday.

The forecast follows last year's above-average season, in which hurricanes Florence and Michael slammed United States coastlines with devastating effect. The chances of an above-normal season or a below-normal season are both 30%, according to NOAA. The Atlantic averages 12 named storms a year, with six becoming hurricanes and three major storms.

With the start of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season almost one week away, researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are predicting a near average season.

NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs says a current El Nino, a periodic warming of the central Pacific that changes weather worldwide, suppresses hurricane activity in the Atlantic.

The hurricane season in Hawaiʻi runs from June 1 through November 30. "Throughout hurricane season, dedicated NOAA staff will remain on alert for any danger to American lives and communities".