Wednesday, August 9, 2006

WASHINGTON, USA (AFP): The Atlantic hurricane season has been less active than anticipated so far this year but US government forecasters warned on Tuesday that three or four major hurricanes could strike in coming months.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said that while it had scaled back earlier predictions for the 2006 season, it still was projecting "an above-normal number of storms."

"NOAA scientists warn this year's relatively quiet start is not an indication of what the remainder of the season has in store," it said in a statement.

The hurricane season for the Atlantic runs from June 1 to November 30. By this time last year, nine tropical storms had already struck, compared to three so far this year.

For the 2006 season, the NOAA projects a total of 12 to 15 named storms, of which seven to nine will intensify into hurricanes with three or four turning into "major" hurricanes.

In May, the US scientists had predicted a more active season with 13 to 16 tropical storms, eight to 10 hurricanes and four to six major hurricanes.

"The forecast is slightly lower than the outlook issued in May, but remains above the seasonal average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes," the NOAA said.

During the 2005 season, the southern US coast and Caribbean endured a record 28 storms of which 15 became hurricanes, including Hurricane Katrina, which claimed 1,300 lives and devastated New Orleans.

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