Tropical Storm Andrea: First Named Storm of 2013 Hurricane Season

Hurricane season 2013 started June 1 and it took just days for the first official tropical storm to develop in the Gulf of Mexico.

Tropical Storm Andrea is the first named storm of the 2013 hurricane season and tropical storm warnings are posted along Florida's west coast for Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. 

Andrea may affect parts of Maryland Friday, into Friday evening - there is a 90 percent chance of rain Friday in Carroll County - but it is unlikely the storm will reach Maryland, according to the National Hurricane Center. 

Hurricane Season 2013 Predictions

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in late May predicted an "active" hurricane season with the Atlantic seeing three to six "major hurricanes" before the season ends in November.

NOAA predicts: 

• Thirteen to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher)
• Of those 13 to 20 storms, the outlook says seven to 11 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including three to six major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher).

"These ranges are well above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes," according to NOAA's advisory staff.

Stay up to date in severe weather situations using the county's Emergency Notification System. You can sign up by filling out this form and mailing it over to Carroll County Office of Public Safety, Emergency Management Division: 225 North Center Street Westminster, MD 21157.  

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