COLORADO (Bloomberg) — Colorado State University's Atlantic hurricane forecast, the most-watched annual prediction, was lowered today to 12 named storms for the 2009 season, with at least six developing into hurricanes.

Researchers William Gray and Philip Klotzbach cut the number from a preliminary estimate of 14 in December. Two of the hurricanes should reach major strength, meaning winds of 111 mph (178 kph) or more on the Saffir-Simpson Scale, they said today.

The Fort Collins, Colorado, school's forecasts are followed by insurers and energy markets, and last year almost hit the mark exactly.

"I have much respect for the team of hurricane forecasters at CSU," said Jim Rouiller, a senior energy meteorologist at Planalytics Inc., a private forecaster in Wayne, Pennsylvania.