[StBernard] Experts reduce hurricane season forecast

[Westley Annis]

Experts reduce hurricane season forecast
By ELIOT KLEINBERG

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

El Niño's emergence has led the Colorado State University team of William
Gray and Phil Klotzbach to reduce their forecast for this hurricane season.
They now call for 10 named storms, four hurricanes and two major hurricanes,
down from their June 2 prediction of 11, five and two.

The team also reduced the chances of a major hurricane making landfall along
the U.S. east coast, including peninsular Florida, from 28 percent to 27
percent. That compares with a historical average of 31 percent.

On Thursday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will update
its May 21 prediction of nine to 14 named storms, four to seven hurricanes,
and one to three major hurricanes. NOAA says the historical average is 11,
six and two.