FACTBOX-Forecasts for the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season

May 27 (Reuters) - Private weather forecaster Planalytics
predicted on Wednesday that the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season
will produce 10 tropical storms, of which six will become
hurricanes.

The company said one or two of the storms were likely to
become major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher, with winds
over 110 mph (177 kph).

Most forecasters say the six-month hurricane season will be
less active than last season, which produced 16 storms.

The season officially begins on Monday.

The following are the latest predictions for 2009:
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Tropical Storms Hurricanes Major Hurricanes
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Planalytics 10 6 1-2
WSI 11 6 2
NOAA 9-14 4-7 1-3
CSU 12 6 2
TSR 15 7.8 3.6
AccuWeather 10 6 2
WRC 7 4 --
UK Met -- -- --
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NOAA (U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
issued its preseason forecast on May 21.
CSU (Colorado State University team led by William Gray and
Philip Klotzbach) forecast issued April 7. Updates due June 2,
Aug. 4, Sept. 2, Oct. 1.
TSR (London-based Tropical Storm Risk) forecast issued April 6.
Updates due June 4, July 6, Aug. 4.
WSI Corp, based in Andover, Massachusetts, issued forecast on
May 26. Updates expected on June 22, July 20, Aug. 24.
AccuWeather forecast issued May 14.
WRC (Houston-based Weather Research Center) forecast issued
April 6.
The UK Met Office will issue a forecast on June 18.
Planalytics issued forecast on May 27.
(Reporting by Edward McAllister; Editing by Jim Loney)