FacebookTwitterEmail Hurricane experts shared their predictions on April 8 for what is expected to be a "well above average" hurricane season this year. Dr. Phil Klotzbach presented his team's research this morning at the National Tropical Weather Conference, where he announced a prediction of 17 named storms during the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Klotzbach broke down the 17 named storms, which he considers a "well above average" hurricane season, predicting eight will become hurricanes and four will be classified as major hurricanes. A major hurricane is classified as at least a category 3, with wind speeds of at least 111 mph. Klotzbach also explained factors that led to their prediction. One factor is due to the measurement of wind shear, a change in wind direction along with a change in height in the atmosphere, something Klotzbach says can basically "tear apart hurricanes." According to Klotzbach, during a La Niña event, there less vertical shear presented in the atmosphere.