Colorado State University’s William Gray, a noted researcher who has been forecasting hurricanes for more than 20 years, lowered his 2007 forecast slightly to 15 named storms and eight hurricanes off the East and Gulf coasts of the U.S.
Gray's new forecast calls for three named storms and two hurricanes, one intense, in August; five named storms and four hurricanes, two intense, in September; and five named storms and two hurricanes, one intense, in October and November combined.
His forecast of 15 named storms includes two that have already occurred this season. At the start of the hurricane season at the end of May, Gray had called for 17 named storms and nine hurricanes, five of them intense.
Gray’s predictions are watched closely by emergency responders and others in coastal areas.