WASHINGTON - US government forecasters on Tuesday predicted that 21 tropical storms could form during the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, tying a record set in 1933.
A tropical storm becomes a Category 1 hurricane when its sustained winds reach at least 74 miles per hour (mph). A Category 2 hurricane has winds of at least 96 mph, followed by Category 3 with at least 111 mph, Category 4 with 131 mph, and Category 5 of winds greater than 155 mph.
The following are five facts about the Atlantic hurricane season from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:
* Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, with most activity in August and September.
* Average hurricane season has 10 tropical storms. Of those, 6 became hurricanes and 2 are ranked as major ones with winds of at least 111 mph.
* 2005 hurricane season prediction calls for 21 tropical storms. Of those, 11 may become hurricanes and 7 may have powerful enough winds to rank as major ones.
* 2004 hurricane season had 15 tropical storms. Of those, 9 became hurricanes and 5 were ranked as major ones.
* Most active Atlantic hurricane season was in 1933 with 21 tropical storms, followed by 1995 with 19 tropical storms. The most hurricanes in a season occurred in 1969, when there were 12 hurricanes.
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