NOAA Hurricane Forecast: Experts Predict Extremely Active Hurricane Season

U.S. forecasters report that after Superstorm Sandy hit, residents along the Alantic and Gulf coasts should prepare themselves for an extremely active 2013 hurricane season, according to U.S. forecasters.

Reports indicate that there is a "70 percent likelihood" that there will be three to six major hurricanes this year, with winds above 111 mph, according to the 2013 hurricane outlook unveiled by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center.

Forecasters anticipate 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher) during the sixth-month hurricane season, which begins on June 1.

Those ranges are above normal, according to the National Hurricane Center. The seasonal average is 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes. Hurricane season ends Nov. 30.

Weather experts believe that climate factors, which include warmer-than-average water temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean-contribute to 2013's active forecast.

And homeowners should begin their storm preparations now.

"Take time to refresh your hurricane preparedness plan," Kathryn Sullivan, NOAA acting administrator, said during a news conference in College Park, Md., on Thursday, according to Reuters. "Bottom line is become weather-ready now-that means starting today."