Hurricane Forecast Revised

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Hurricane forecasters at Colorado
State University have scaled back their prediction for the Atlantic
and are now calling for an average season with 12 named storms,
including six hurricanes, two of them major.
In December, researchers William Gray and Phil Klotzbach
predicted an above-average season with 14 named storms with seven
hurricanes - three major.
Gray said Tuesday the forecast was dialed down because of
improved chances of El Nino conditions, which suppress hurricane
formation.
This is Gray's 26th year of forecasting hurricanes. His
predictions are watched closely by emergency responders and others,
but many say long-range forecasts have little practical value
beyond focusing public attention on the dangers.
The season runs June 1-Nov. 30.
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