View Comments The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be "above-normal," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Thursday. In the initial outlook for this year's storm season, NOAA predicts about 13-20 named storms, six to 10 hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes. The average is 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes, according to NOAA's updated averages for the 1991-2020 30-year period. Despite an expected above-average hurricane season, 2021 is not expected to be as active as 2020, said Matthew Rosencrans, lead for the seasonal hurricane outlook from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. For hurricane-prone areas like the U.S. Gulf Coast, preparation is key, FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell said. She addedFEMA will continue to work closely with the National Hurricane Center and state and local jurisdictions to prepare for the 2021 hurricane season.