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Apr 9, 2008 1:32 pm US/Eastern
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Hurricane Forecaster Upgrades Hurricane Prediction
Prediction: 15 Named Storms
8 Hurricanes
4 Major Hurricanes
Famed hurricane forecaster Dr. William Gray has released his updated Atlantic Hurricane Season and has upgraded the predictions released in December.
Phil Klotzbach, who has been the lead author on hurricane forecasts with Dr. Gray in recent years, said Wednesday that the 2008 season will be "very active" with 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes of category 3 or higher.
In December, Gray's group based at Colorado State University, forecast an above-normal season with 13 named storms, seven hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes. A hurricane is considered major when it reaches category 3 status or when winds reach 111 mph.
Klotzbach and Gray updated their forecast from the Bahamas Weather Conference on Grand Bahama Island.
Dr. Gray said there are signs of a very active season due to La Nina cool-water conditions in the Pacific and higher sea surface temperatures in the eastern Atlantic.
An average season produces about 10 tropical storms and six hurricanes. The last season in 2007 saw 14 tropical storms, of which six strengthened into hurricanes.
A record 28 storms formed in 2005.