BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CDERA): If hurricane researchers and forecasters are correct then the current lull in hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean should soon give way, opening the flood gates to the Cape Verde season. Historically the 60-day period between August 15 and October 15 is regarded as the peak of the annual Atlantic Ocean Hurricane Season when the most intense activity occurs. According to the latest updated forecast, the rest of the season should see about another 10 storms being formed of which three have been forecast to make landfall in the Lesser Antilles. In its August update for the season, the forecast team of Professor Mark Saunders and Dr Adam Lea of the Benfield Hazard Research Centre at the University College of London, has increased the numbers for this season to 22 storms, 11 hurricanes, and seven major hurricanes. The numbers follow the trending from Professor Bill Gray of the Colorado State University, the United States Government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Meteorological Institute of Cuba. What sets the four forecast apart is that the Benfield Hazard Research Centre has including a landfall forecast for the Lesser Antilles. The Centre says that the Caribbean can expect three storms, two hurricanes, and one major hurricane to make landfall somewhere from Anguilla in the north to Trinidad in the south. Already, one hurricane – Hurricane Emily -made landfall in Grenada. Professor Gray in his forecast has predicted 20 storms, 10 hurricanes, and six major hurricanes in total. NOAA’s prediction is for 18 to 21 storms, nine to 11 hurricanes, and five to seven major hurricanes. The Meteorological Institute of Cuba predicts 20 storms, nine hurricanes, and no major hurricanes. Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com