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From Monsters and Critics.com US News Washington - The US weather service still predicts an above average Atlantic hurricane season despite only three named storms and no hurricanes hitting since June. A record year in 2005 saw nine named storms to this date. By the end of the season, 28 storms had killed more than 1,300 people in the US alone and caused more than 100 billion dollars in damage. More than one third of the way through the 2006 hurricane season, the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) said up to 15 storms will grow strong enough to deserve names, only one less than it forecast in May. The NOAA also predicted up to nine hurricanes, including three to four major hurricanes, defined as a category three or above. May's forecast predicted up to 10 hurricanes and four to six major hurricanes. 'Conditions will be favourable for above-normal activity for the rest of this season, so we are not off the hook by any means,' said NOAA administrator Conrad Lautenbacher. Last year witnessed seven major hurricanes for the season, which begins June 1 and ends November 30. © 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur© Copyright 2003 - 2005 by monstersandcritics.com. This notice cannot be removed without permission. |