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Hurricane Forecast Gathers Strength

Early start to season could mean more and stronger storms

By Jess Kilby,  Newser User

Posted Aug 6, 2008 9:18 AM CDT

(Newser) – The 2008 hurricane season could be more intense than originally predicted, forecasters warned yesterday. July saw the earliest hurricane to ever form so far east in the Atlantic, prompting experts to up their season estimates from 15 to 17 named storms and from seven hurricanes to nine. Five of the hurricanes are expected to be major, reports the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.



Boats at Dinner Key Marina destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in August 1992. Forecasters predict a 43% chance of at least one major hurricane hitting the East Coast during the 2008 storm season.
Boats at Dinner Key Marina destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in August 1992. Forecasters predict a 43% chance of at least one major hurricane hitting the East Coast during the 2008 storm season.   (KRT Photos)
The early arrival of Hurricane Bertha, shown here northeast of Bermuda on July 15, 2008, has prompted forecasters to increase their predictions for the storm season.
The early arrival of Hurricane Bertha, shown here northeast of Bermuda on July 15, 2008, has prompted forecasters to increase their predictions for the storm season.   (AP Photo/NOAA)
Ahead of hurricane season, New Orleans levee continues to leak.
Ahead of hurricane season, New Orleans levee continues to leak.   (Getty Images)
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We had a very active early season. Usually that doesn’t correlate with the rest of season unless it happens in the tropics, and that’s what we’ve seen. - Phil Klotzbach, Colorado State University researcher

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