ORLANDO, Fla. – Colorado State University forecasters predict up to 15 named storms will form during the 2012 hurricane season.
The university released its annual hurricane season forecast on Wednesday. University forecasters have released the annual report for the last three decades.
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According to the report, there is a 45 percent chance for an above-average hurricane season in 2012. Typically, that means 12 to 15 named storms will form between June 1 to November 30.
Forecasters expect seven to nine of those named storms to become hurricanes, with three to four of them categorized as major hurricanes. According to Local 6 meteorologist Troy Bridges, any storm category 3 and above is considered a major hurricane.
The major factor that helps university forecasters create their annual report is Atlantic Thermohaline Circulation (THC).
"When THC is stronger than normal, the tropical Atlantic [is] typically more conducive for hurricane formation and intensification," forecasters said.
The university will provide updates for the 2012 hurricane forecast on April 4, June 1 and Aug. 3.