Federal scientists set to release forecast for Atlantic hurricane season that starts June 1

NOAA to make 2010 hurricane season forecast

MIAMI — Federal forecasters are set to announce their predictions for the six-month Atlantic hurricane season that starts June 1, with a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that could lay in the path of potential storms.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration researchers will issue their seasonal outlook Thursday morning.

In April, Colorado State University researchers predicted a busy season of 15 named storms, with four developing into major hurricanes. They said cooler ocean temperatures in the Pacific and warmer temperatures in the Atlantic increase the risk for the East Coast getting slammed by a hurricane this season.

Three hurricanes developed out of nine tropical storms last season. None came ashore in the United States.