Government forecasters expect the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season will see six to nine hurricanes forming, which they said would be near or above normal activity.

Officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration project that 12 to 16 named storms and two to five major hurricanes could form. There is a 60 to 70 percent chance for the predictions to hit those ranges.

This is the first time they gave a probability because some forecasters believe people pay too much attention to the seasonal forecasts.

An average season has 11 named storms, including six hurricanes -- two of which reach major status of at least Category 3 with winds of more than 110 mph.

Forecasters stress that residents should always be prepared no matter what the seasonal forecasts say, because even a slow season can be disastrous. Seasonal forecasts don't predict whether, where or when any of these storms may hit land.

"We don't want anyone changing their preparation plans because of the seasonal outlook. The only number that matters is the number one, the one storm that you need to prepare for," said Dennis Feltgen, spokesman for the National Hurricane Center, which is part of NOAA.

Last year, there were 15 named storms and six hurricanes, two of which were major. The government predicted 13 to 17 named storms, seven to 10 hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes.

"Americans in hurricane-prone states must get serious and be prepared. Government –- even with the federal, tribal, state and local governments working perfectly in sync –- is not the entire answer," said FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison.

"We must continue to develop a culture of preparedness in America in which every American takes personal responsibility for his or her own emergency preparedness," he said.

NOAA’s Atlantic hurricane season outlook will be updated on August 7, just prior to what is historically the peak period for hurricane activity.