Being prepared during hurricane season Published June 13, 2013 Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- According to weather specialists, the Atlantic hurricane season - which began June 1 and continues through Nov. 30 - is expected to be a busy one. With one named storm already in the books, an additional 17 named storms are forecasted this season, including nine hurricanes, of which four will become major hurricanes with winds of 110 mph or greater. The 78th Operations Support Squadron's Weather Flight is busy preparing to ensure Team Robins is aware of the threats posed by land-falling tropical storms. The team, which consists of 13 men and women, are monitoring several forecast models, seas surface temperatures and upper level wind patterns over the Atlantic and Caribbean basins. And, the initial assessment reflects some comparisons to the 2005 season. The weather flight won't commit to saying whether the season will be as historic as that year, as 2005 was the most active tropical season in modern history, resulting in major U.S. land-falling storms, Hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. Instead, they're focused on being ready for tropical impacts. "Preparedness and situational awareness remain essential during tropical season," said Roddy Nixon, Jr., senior meteorologist. "Even though we're in central Georgia, the potential for serious consequences associated with tropical weather remains high." Preparedness links: Robins Air Force Base Weather (Severe Weather Awareness information located on the right hand side of page) American Red Cross Hurricane Safety Checklist