Hurricane Experts Likely to Raise 2008 Storm Predictions Today

By Demian McLean

April 9 (Bloomberg) -- Hurricane forecasters probably will boost the number of expected 2008 Atlantic storms when they update their prediction for the season today, meteorologists say.

William Gray and Philip Klotzbach of Colorado State University, whose predictions are closely watched by insurers, energy markets and local governments, are scheduled to release their forecast by 11:30 a.m. New York time. Their preliminary report in December predicted 13 named storms this year, including seven hurricanes, three of them major.

``We think the forecast is going to be relatively aggressive,'' Michael Schlacter, chief