MIAMI, March 8 (UPI) -- Three long-range forecasts for the 2005 Atlantic Caribbean Hurricane season are calling for another active season, but not quite as active as last year.
Tropical Storm Risk of University College London is predicting 14 tropical storms, eight hurricanes and four major storms, the Tampa Tribune reported Tuesday.
The British forecasters said the United States would be hit by two tropical storms and two hurricanes.
Another forecast by a group headed by William Gray at Colorado State University predicts 11 tropical storms, six hurricanes and two major storms with winds of more than 110 mph.
Gray's forecasts of landfalls won't be released until later this year.
A Florida State University forecast predicts six or seven hurricanes.
An average season would have nine tropical storms, with six hurricanes and two major storms of category 3 or higher.
The forecast by the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration will be issued May 16. The hurricane season begins June 1 and goes through Nov. 30.
Last year four hurricanes hit Florida.
