Tropical Storm Andrea Forms: First Named Storm of the 2013 Hurricane Season

Hurricane season 2013 started June 1, and it took just days for the first official tropical storm to develop in the Gulf of Mexico.

Tropical Storm Andrea is the first named storm of the 2013 hurricane season and tropical storm warnings are posted along Florida's west coast for Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. 

Northern Virginia may see some rain from this tropical storm system Friday and this weekend, but it is highly unlikely that the storm will actually hit this area.

Hurricane Season 2013 Predictions

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in late May predicted an "active" hurricane season with the Atlantic seeing three to six "major hurricanes" before the season ends in November.

NOAA predicts: 

• Thirteen to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher)
• Of those 13 to 20 storms, the outlook says seven to 11 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher).

"These ranges are well above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes," according to NOAA's advisory staff.

It's rare for Northern Virginia to get a direct hit, but Fairfax County and Dominion Virginia Power have variety of emergency resources and advice.

• See: 

Hurricane Preparedness and Tips

The Fairfax County emergency information blog is here.

More on the 2013 Hurricane Season

• Hurricane Names for 2013 Season