12, 6, 2

Number of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes, respectively, that hurricane forecasters at Colorado State University are predicting for the 2009 Atlantic storm season, which runs from June 1 through November 30. (Here's the roster of names from the National Hurricane Center for the 2009 Atlantic season: Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Erika, Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida, Joaquin, Kate, Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor, and Wanda.)

These figures are lower than the December 2009 forecast of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. Researchers cited a drop in the water temperatures of the tropical Atlantic Ocean and conditions less conducive to spawning major storms. (The photo, from the National Weather Service, shows the storm surge from Hurricane Carol battering the Rhode Island Yacht Club in August 1954.)

“We are calling for an average hurricane season this year—about as active as the average of the 1950 to 2000 seasons,” said CSU's  lead forecaster Phil Klotzbach. Download a PDF of the forecast.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will release its own forecast next month. Last year, the NOAA unveiled an online hurricane tracker that displays the paths hurricanes, tropical storms, and tropical depressions have taken through locations in the U.S. since 1851.

Essential information: Our Storm & Emergency Guide provides the tools and tactics you need to plan and react effectively to any weather emergency. Also, learn more about flood insurance.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter