Hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin - which includes the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Carribean Sea - doesn't begin officially until June 1. But Dr. William Gray, a hurricane researcher from Colorado State University, always issues an outlook in early April.

Dr. Gray and his team predict that 11 tropical storms will form in the Atlantic Basin, with 7 of those strengthening to hurricanes. The averages are about 9 tropical storms and 6 hurricanes each year, so he's forecasting a slightly above average season in terms of the number of storms. Dr. Gray is also forecasting a 60% chance that at least one major hurricane will make landfall in the U.S.

As the season approaches, I'll have plenty more to say about hurricanes, including an evaluation of Dr. Gray's past forecasts and an explanation of how he does it.