Dr. Gray: Early hurricane forecasts were right

    Colorado-based weather researchers
say eight hurricanes formed in the Atlantic this year, the same
number they predicted before the season but one less than their
August update called for.

    Colorado State University researchers William Gray and Phil
Klotzbach said Wednesday their preseason forecasts in April and
June called for 15 named storms, including eight hurricanes, four
major of them major.

    Their Aug. 5 update called for 17 named storms, including nine
hurricanes, five of them major.

    They say the final numbers were 16 named storms, eight
hurricanes and five major hurricanes. The Atlantic season runs from
June 1 to Nov. 30.

    Gray has been forecasting hurricanes for more than two decades.
His predictions are watched closely by emergency responders and
others.