NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC):

Noted Colorado State University hurricane forecasters have predicted a "well-above-average" 2008 hurricane season.

Forecasters William Gray and Phil Klotzbach told a weather conference here Wednesday that 15 named tropical storms are expected to form in the Atlantic Ocean during the upcoming June 1 to November 30 season.

Gray said eight of the 2008 storms would develop into hurricanes and indicated that there was an "above-average" chance that at least one major hurricane will make landfall in the Caribbean.

The forecaster, who has been issuing long-range hurricane forecasts for decades, said this summer will "continue a trend of above-average hurricane seasons that started in 1995".