11 Hurricanes Could Wallop NYC In 'Above Normal' Season

NEW YORK CITY — Up to 11 hurricanes could threaten or wallop New York City this year, according to an upgraded Atlantic hurricane season forecast.

The 2023 hurricane season outlook has been increased to "above-normal" from "near-normal," said forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration last week.

Record-warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures in part prompted forecasters to update their predictions for this hurricane season, which runs until Nov. 30, said Matthew Rosencrans, lead hurricane season forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

"Considering those factors, the updated outlook calls for more activity, so we urge everyone to prepare now for the continuing season," he said in a statement.

The previous prediction had called for a 40 percent chance of a "near-normal" season, which would be between five and nine hurricanes to develop in the Atlantic.

The updated outlook increased the likelihood of an above-normal hurricane season to 60 percent, according to a NOAA update.

Six to 11 named storms could become hurricanes, the update states.

Two to five of those storms could develop into major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or greater, forecasters said.

Whether those storms make landfall in New York City or elsewhere won't be predictable until roughly one week of their approach, forecasters said.