Forecaster predicts lighter hurricane season FORT COLLINS, Colo., (AP) – Hurricane forecaster William Gray said Thursday, Aug. 3, 2000, the 2000 hurricane season will not be as bad as first predicted. In his June forecast, the Colorado State University professor predicted 12 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes. Data received since the official start of the season June 1 have convinced Gray there will be only 11 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. He said cooler Atlantic Ocean …showed first 75 words of 368 total…

…showed last 75 words of 368 total…in the region. What coastal dwellers should anticipate, Gray said, is an active hurricane season but slightly weaker than those that occurred in 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999. The five years beginning in 1995 constitute the five most active consecutive years of hurricane activity in history, producing 65 named storms, 41 hurricanes and 20 major hurricanes. The National Hurricane Center in Miami is expected to release their updated 2000 hurricane forecast on Aug. 10. Its forecast is expected to be similar to Gray's updated forecast.