May 24, 2012 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) Federal forecasters predict there will be about nine to 15 storms during this year's Atlantic hurricane season.
            
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released its initial outlook for the six-month storm season that officially begins June 1st.
            
The season got an early start when Tropical Storm Alberto formed last Saturday off South Carolina's coast.           Tropical Storm Irene pounded New England last year and left tens-of-thousands in the dark on Cape Cod for days.
            
The agency predicts this year's total will include four to eight hurricanes. One to three of those could become major hurricanes.
            
This season marks the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew's catastrophic landfall in Florida as a Category 5.