Forecasters are predicting a "very active" Atlantic hurricane season for 2008.
Colorado State University's Tropical Meteorology Project, headed by William Gray and Phil Klotzbach, released its updated 2008 predictions yesterday.
The latest forecast calls for 15 named storms and eight hurricanes, of which four are predicted to be Category 3 or stronger.
"To put it in perspective, a typical season has 10 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes," said Phil Klotzbach. "So we're calling for about 160% of an average hurricane season this year."
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Typically the most active weeks are late August to early September.
Researchers say there is a 69% chance that a hurricane would strike the US coastline, which is above the average probability of 52%.
The U.S.east coast has a 45% chance of being hit by a major hurricane (Category 3, 4 or 5, packing sustained winds of at least 111 miles per hour).
The Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle west to Brownsville, Texas, stands a 44% chance of being hit, the report said.
An updated forecast will be released on June 3, the third day of the hurricane season.
For more from Finditt Weather, go to
http://news.finditt.com/NewsList.aspx?cat=20&wcat=11
