Two more major hurricanes are likely to form before the end of the season, expert forecasters believe.

William Gray, a professor of atmospheric science at Colorado State University, yesterday issued his latest hurricane predictions.

If his forecast is correct it will bring the total number of major hurricanes, of category three or more, to three this season. Hurricane Bertha has already caused havoc in North Carolina.

The forecast was released yesterday and Prof. Gray says this season will be "about average'' overall.

"This season is somewhat unusual because we've already had three storms that evolved into two hurricanes and one intense hurricane.

"We will not see this continued fast pace, but we will see more hurricanes this year,'' said Prof. Gray.

"The forecasting signals we use give us a prediction for what will occur after August 1.

"We're actually going to see slightly below average activity from now on, but because the season got off to such a fast start the totals are for about average activity for the overall season.'' Prof. Gray has predicted that 11 tropical storms will develop with seven turning into hurricanes, of which three will evolve into major storms.

Earlier this year he said there would be ten tropical storms with six turning into hurricanes of which two would form into major hurricanes.

Although this season is about average, Prof. Gray alarmingly predicts that a 25-year downturn in hurricane activity could be coming to an end.

He said recent research indicates that oceanic circulation patterns could be changing which Prof. Gray believes could increase hurricane formation.

Prof. Gray believes the oceanic patterns, known as the Oceanic Conveyor Belt, plays a major role in the cycles of major hurricane formations.

"We might be seeing a return of more of these major storms and that is particularly troubling.''