Hurricane season is officially here as of today, which means it's time to stock up on fans and filtered water. You're going to need them with the hangover we have planned for you.

An "active to extremely active" hurricane season is expected for the Atlantic Basin this year, according to the seasonal outlook issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service. NOAA is projecting a 70 percent probability of eight to 14 hurricanes, of which three to seven could be major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5).

"If this outlook holds true, this season could be one of the more active on record," says Jane Lubchenco, the under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and an NOAA administrator. "In short, we urge everyone to be prepared." Not surprisingly, the president recently designated May 23-29 as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. In Houston, Mayor Annise Parker did Obama one better by touting her hurricane preparedness pitch in a press conference this morning.

Our apologies to the NOAA and Obama, but that week in May was already officially National Memorial Day BBQ Preparedness Week - planning pool parties is not a time for multi-tasking. That means going to Spec's on your lunch breaks during this four-day week.

The excuses for the upturn in hurricanes? El Niño in the eastern Pacific has dissipated, which will reduce wind chafing — a factor that can tear apart storms (strong wind shear in 2009 resulted in a less eventful season). Also, the water is up to four degrees warmer than average Atlantic Ocean temperatures.

"Whether or not we approach the end end of the predicted ranges depends partly on whether or not La Niña develops this summer," says Gerry Bell, the lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. "At present we are in a neutral state, but conditions are becoming increasingly favorable for La Niña to develop."

Yes, that little bitch, La Niña might be crashing your hurricane party. Better bring an extra blender, and follow these other tips:

1. To simulate an authentic hurricane mood, don't turn on any lights. Instead, opt for flashlights, which will also come in handy for drinking games. If you light candles, keep pets away.

2. Amp up the atmosphere with a CD of storm sounds. Designate a DJ to mash the sound of wind, rain and hail with Earth, Wind & Fire. (Hint: Girl Talk will be in town this weekend.)

3. Assign each of your friends a name from this year's list of storm titles, and encourage guests to dress up accordingly.

• Bonnie (FEMA trailer trash)
• Gaston (sexy/evil Disney character)
• Karl (token radical Marxist)
• Paula (Dean or Abdul, your choice)
• Lisa (Frank, with accompanying paraphernalia)
• Igor (volcano-struck Viking)
• Julia (Child)
• Hermine (Harry Potter starlet turned sexpot)
• Otto (speak only in palindromes)

4. Stock up on Benadryl for the kids. It will put them to sleep, so you can get the party started early.

5. Shake up that extremely sweet drink, the Hurricane. Here's our favorite recipe:

• 1 1/2 ounces dark rum
• 1 1/2 ounces light rum
• 2 ounces passion fruit juice
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1 ounce unsweetened pineapple juice
• 1 teaspoon grenadine
• 1 teaspoon superfine sugar or simple syrup
• orange slice and maraschino cherry, for flair

Instructions: Shake the two rums, the three juices, and the grenadine and sugar with ice; then strain into a chilled hurricane-lamp-shaped glass filled with ice. Garnish away. And since it's looking like an extra rough season, add a floater on top.