"NOAA's prediction for the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season is for 12 to 15 tropical storms, with seven to nine becoming hurricanes, of which three to five could become major hurricanes," said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

Lautenbacher added ominously that: "Forecaster confidence that this will be an active hurricane season is very high."

NOAA's Atlantic hurricane outlook reflects an expected continuation of above-average activity that began in 1995. Since that time all but two Atlantic hurricane seasons have been above-normal. The hurricane season starts on June 1 and ends November 30.

"Last year's hurricane season provided a reminder that planning and preparation for a hurricane do make a difference. Residents in hurricane vulnerable areas who had a plan, and took individual responsibility for acting on those plans, fared far better than those who did not," observed Max Mayfield, director of the NOAA National Hurricane Centre.

An update to the Atlantic hurricane outlook will be issued in early August just prior to the season's historical peak from late August through October.