Warmer-than-average water temperatures over most of the Atlantic Ocean, a developing La Nina, and the ongoing multi-decadal active hurricane cycle will all conspire to produce a busy hurricane season, according to forecasters at NOAA.

13 to 17 named tropical storms are forecast in 2007. Of these tropical storms, 7 to 10 are expected to become hurricanes. 3 to 5 hurricanes are predicted to become major hurricanes. Tropical storms have maximum sustained winds of at least 39 mph, hurricanes have winds of at least 74 mph, while major hurricanes have winds greater than 110 mph.

The Atlantic Ocean produces about 10 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes, on average.

NOAA officials say it's too early to predict how many hurricanes will make landfall in the United States.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1 and ends November 30. The peak of the season occurs between August and October.