Federal forecasters are predicting a near-normal outlook for the Atlantic hurricane season.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its initial outlook for the six-month storm season Thursday at its Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory in Miami.
However, Bay News 9 Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay cautions near-normal doesn't mean residents should let their guards down.
“It doesn’t matter who does predictions or what they are. If we have 20 storms and they all don’t come near you, most people think the season was inactive," Clay said. "If we have five storms and one bad one hits you, most people think the season was horrible.”
Hurricane season officially begins June 1, but it started early this year when Tropical Storm Alberto formed May 19 off South Carolina's coast.
The group predicts nine to 15 named storms, including four to eight hurricanes. One to three could become major hurricanes.
"You should prepare the same way for every season, like it is the season when you are going to finally get hit," Clay said.
This hurricane season marks the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew's catastrophic landfall in South Florida as a Category 5 storm.
Last year marked the sixth consecutive year without the U.S. landfall of a major hurricane, which are classified as Category 3 storms with sustained winds of 111 mph or higher.
Watch Weather on the Nines at :49 after the hour for your tropical update.