The Forecasting Center of the Cuban Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) predicts that the remainder of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, is expected to be normal, Granma newspaper reported early this week.

Havana, Cuba.- According to the publication, nine tropical storms are expected to form in the North Atlantic basin, which includes the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

INSMET Director Dr. Miriam Teresita Llanes stated that of those nine, five could reach hurricane status.

As for the area of origin, five would be developed in the Atlantic Ocean region, two in the Caribbean Sea, and two others in the Gulf of Mexico.

There are probabilities that at least one hurricane originates and intensifies in the Caribbean Sea, and one of Atlantic origin enters the Caribbean Sea. At least one hurricane is predicted to hit Cuba.

“If the Cuban model is fulfilled, the final number of tropical hurricanes expected would be around 13, taking into account that tropical storms Arlene, Bret, Cindy, and Don, the latter the only one becoming a hurricane, were formed between June and July,” Llanes pointed out. (PL)