A new study predicts that warmer waters in the Atlantic Ocean will continue to increase the number of major hurricanes. The study, published in the journal Science, was based on research carried out by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. Researchers say each hurricane season is likely to produce five to eight major hurricanes by 2100. In 2017, six major hurricanes formed in the Atlantic. Three of them, Harvey, Irma and Maria, made landfall. The storms hit parts of the United States and Caribbean, causing loss of life and an estimated $265 billion in damages. Since 2000, the Atlantic has averaged three major hurricanes a year. Before that, the average was closer to two. So far this year, only one Atlantic hurricane, Florence, reached major strength.