For months, meteorologists have been monitoring the possibility for the El Niño weather pattern to transition to a La Niña - a change that would have a significant impact on how active the season becomes.
Earlier this spring, it was unclear whether or not this transition would occur, but experts say it's now looking more likely.
La Niña is characterized by below-normal water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean near the equator.
When this occurs, less wind shear is found in the developmental regions of the Atlantic, increasing the potential for a higher-than-normal amount of tropical systems.
"There's even more information now strongly suggesting that there's at least a 75 to 80 percent chance that we will go into a La Niña pattern," Kottlowski said.
