By Erwin Seba

(Reuters] – The Atlantic Hurricane Season is set to bring yet another round above-normal storms, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) stated Tuesday.

NOAA forecasters predict 14-21 named storms. Six to 10 will turn into hurricanes and three to six will transform into major hurricanes between June 1 and Nov. 30, according to NOAA.

The sustained winds from a tropical storm are at least 39 miles an hour (63 kmph), while a hurricane can reach speeds of at most 74 mph. Major hurricanes have winds up to 111 miles per hours and can cause severe damage.

Forecasters believe that climate change has led to higher ocean temperatures, which have resulted in more severe and destructive storms. NOAA forecasts that this year’s above-average storm season will be fueled by warmer than average sea temperatures and trade winds patterns.

According to Colorado State University, the outlook for last month’s 19 storms, 9 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes that NOAA has called for, NOAA expects an above-average season of storms.

U.S. forecasters estimate a 65% chance of an above normal season, 25% chance to a near-normal seasonal season and 10% chance to a below-normal saison.

On average, a season can produce 14 named storms or seven hurricanes. These numbers were increased by NOAA for the normal season in 2013 after an update. This was due to improved satellite monitoring and climate changes.

Insured damages from the 21 Atlantic storms that were named last year totaled $80.6 billion. Hurricane Ida was a Category 4-hurricane when it hit Louisiana. It brought wind and floods all the way up to New York. The losses were estimated at $36 billion.

The outlook was affected by forecasters’ predictions of unseasonably hot temperatures, warm-than-average oceans which supply energy to tropical cyclones, and an ongoing La Nina weather pattern.