The public was yesterday warned to prepare themselves for the possibility of storms as the hurricane season starts today.

The Bermuda Weather Service launched its annual Hurricane Preparedness Week in a bid to minimise the risk from major storms.

The BWS website said the goal of the week was to help remind the public and decision-makers about the threats from hurricanes and tropical storms.

The website added: “Preparedness reduces the risk posed by the impacts of these significant weather events.

Forecasters asked: “Hurricane season in the Atlantic runs from June 1 to November 30 – a full six months – every year. Will you be ready?”

Meteorologists have predicted an above average season, with the US-based National Hurricane Centre estimating between 13 and 20 named storms.

Between six and ten are expected to reach hurricane force and three to five of them could become major hurricanes with winds of 111mph or higher.

The modern average for hurricane seasons is 14 named storms, with seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

Bermuda has already experienced its first Tropical Storm Watch of the year after subtropical storm Ana formed 300 miles off the island on May 22.

The preseason storm reached Tropical Storm strength on May 23 as it moved away from the island, but weakened to a post-tropical system the next day.

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