The Atlantic hurricane season doesn't officially begin until June 1, but Dr. William Gray and his fellow tropical researchers at Colorado State University always issue a forecast for the season in early April.

This year they're predicting that 12 tropical storms will form, with 7 intensifying into hurricanes, and three of those hurricanes reaching intense status - that is, with winds of more than 110 mph. The averages over the last 50 years are 10 tropical storms and 6 hurricanes, with 2 reaching intense status, so Dr. Gray is calling for a slightly above-average tropical season. He's been issuing these forecasts since 1984, and more than two-thirds of the time he's been on the correct side of average. He'll update the forecast in June and again in August.

By the way, the first storm that forms this year in the Atlantic will be called Arthur, followed by Bertha, Cristobal, and Dolly.