© AFP/Getty ImagesPowerful Hurricane Helene churns over the open Atlantic Ocean in 2006. Federal forecasters are predicting an above-average season in the Atlantic.
Federal forecasters today called for an "active" to "extremely active" hurricane season this year, with anywhere from 14 to 23 named storms expected to form in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
Of those named storms, 8 to 14 should become hurricanes, including 3 to 7 "major" hurricanes, with wind speeds above 111 mph.
Tropical storms are given a name when wind speeds reach 39 mph, and are upgraded to hurricane status when their sustained winds reach 74 mph. An average Atlantic hurricane season sees 11 named storms, including six hurricanes, with two becoming major hurricanes.
Forecasters do not predict the number of storms that will make landfall.
The forecast was announced Thursday morning by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
Comment: This 'fierce hurricane season' news doesn't bode well for Florida and the other Gulf states. See these stories for more information: Is It Raining Oil In Florida? This Is Just The Beginning, Nightmare scene as oil smothers Louisiana wetlands and Florida Gulf oil spill: Plans to evacuate Tampa Bay area are in place