2009 Atlantic hurricane season underway

In the early August update to the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration predicted that there would be 7 to 11 named storms in the Atlantic Ocean in 2009, of which 3 to 6 could become hurricanes, including 1 to 2 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5).

Colorado State University's research team, the nation's most well-known hurricane forecasters, also revised their seasonal forecast in early August. They now predict that 10 tropical storms this year, of which 4 will become hurricanes. Of those 4, they said that 2 would be major hurricanes.

The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and runs until November 30. Most hurricane activity occurs from mid-August to mid-October.

By Doyle Rice, USA TODAY

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/hurricanes/hurricane-graphic.htm