Scientists hold to Atlantic hurricane forecast

GULF OF MEXICO — Weather forecasters at Colorado State University are holding steady to their prediction of an above-average hurricane season for the Atlantic Ocean.

The forecast issued yesterday remains unchanged from an earlier prediction issued in April.

Researchers predict 16 named storms in the Atlantic, with nine of those storms expected to turn into hurricanes. Five of the hurricanes are forecast to be major, with a category 3 or above and sustained winds of 111 mph or higher.

Forecasters also estimate that there’s a 72 percent probability that one of the major hurricanes will hit the U.S. coastline.

Source: AP