NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) - The 2018 Hurricane season starts June 1st, and researchers are expecting an above average season.
Colorado State University predicts 14 named storms. They said at least half could become hurricanes with three major storms above a Category 3.
The largest Fleet Weather Center in the Navy started practicing for severe weather since April 24th.
"We rely on satellite especially inferred we have water vapor charts," explained Melvin Randal.
Randal is an assistant forecaster at the Fleet Weather Center at Naval Station Norfolk. He said everyone from meteorologists to oceanographers rely on the high tech equipment to prepare.
"We do not use Google weather for our forecast like people think or go outside and say 'oh it's sunny, that's your forecast,'" Randall said. "We look at a lot of elements."
The goal of the center is to protect 44 naval bases, and almost 100 ships a day.
"Sailors lives are at risk when it comes getting them out of the way and out of harm's way. If we don't do our job and get them the information, it could be hard to get them out of harm's way," said Command Duty Officer Dylan Kletter.
The fleet will continue to practice daily until June 1st.
"We have a ton of time to prep and get things ready so we can communicate with everyone," said Alyssa Naquin.
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