ST. GEORGE’S Grenada: With the hurricane season just two weeks away, local forecasters in Grenada are gearing up, putting logistics and mechanisms into place and enhancing their communications systems for the season. Out of the 15 named storms predicted it has been said by forecasters that the Caribbean will experience a yet another active season. American forecasters have also predicted that two or three hurricanes could hit the United States this year, based on an Atlantic season forecast released Monday. Meteorologist Albert Munroe told Caribbean Net News, that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts seven to nine hurricanes during the coming season, June 1 to November 30. Munroe said “Statistically you can look at the fact that when seasons are more active, and we have higher level of hurricanes, you have a higher chance of hurricanes striking the Caribbean and the United States”. The forecast said three to five of the hurricanes will be major storms ranked Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane strength. Munroe said that the Meteorological Office in Grenada has enhanced its communications system so that they will be better able to monitor and track the movements of the storms as they appear. “The season promises to be another busy one following on the heels of one that hammered a number of Caribbean islands”, Munroe said. He also encouraged Grenadians to take the season seriously and said that they should seek to educate themselves on disaster preparedness which is vital. The forecaster also made the appeal to the Grenadian populace to be mindful of the devastation last year, and they should prepare mentally and physically for any eventualities. After a mission to Grenada this month, the International Monetary Fund said that the upcoming season could pose severe challenges to the island, given that many houses, schools, and shelters that are still under reconstruction. Caribbean Net News was told by forecasters that the 2005 forecast is based on a large number of factors, including air pressure, winds and surface temperature. Since 1995, the Atlantic hurricane seasons have been above normal except for the El Nino years of 1997 and 2002. Atlantic storm names for 2005: Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Dennis, Emily, Franklin, Gert, Harvey, Irene, Jose, Katrina, Lee, Maria, Nate, Ophelia, Philippe, Rita, Stan, Tammy, Vince and Wilma. Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com