US government set to update its storm forecast for the rest of the Atlantic hurricane season

Forecasters to update Atlantic hurricane outlook

PENSACOLA, Fla. — The U.S. government is set to update its outlook for the Atlantic hurricane season.

In May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted this could be the busiest hurricane season since 2005, when hurricanes Katrina and Rita ripped along the same part of the Gulf Coast now coping with one of the world’s worst oil spills.

NOAA scientists previously said they expected as many as 23 named tropical storms, including up to seven major hurricanes. They’ll update their forecast Thursday.

So far, three named storms have developed. Hurricane Alex made landfall June 30 in northern Mexico. Tropical Storm Bonnie forced crews drilling a relief well in the Gulf to evacuate last month. Tropical Storm Colin dissipated earlier this week over the Atlantic.