WASHINGTON (Reuters) — The 2007 Atlantic hurricane season will be active with 13 to 17 named storms, seven or 10 of which are expected to become hurricanes, the US government's top climate agency predicted yesterday.Of the seven to 10 hurricanes forecast, three to five will be major ones of category three or higher with winds over 110 miles per hour, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in its annual forecast.

An average Atlantic hurricane season brings 11 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes, including two major hurricanes, NOAA said.

Earlier forecasts for the Atlantic hurricane season also have predicted the return of an active pattern this year.

Weather forecaster AccuWeather.com has predicted 13 or 14 tropical storms or hurricanes would form in the Atlantic this year and six or seven could hit the United States, with the Gulf Coast and Gulf of Mexico oil installations at high risk.

The Colorado State University team under forecast pioneer William Gray predicted 17 storms, of which nine would become hurricanes, and London-based Tropical Storm Risk predicted 16.7 storms and 9.2 hurricanes.

The Atlantic hurricane season typically peaks between August 1 and late October.

A devastating 2005 Atlantic hurricane season generated 28 tropical storms, of which 15 became hurricanes. A record four major hurricanes hit the United States, including Katrina, which devastated New Orleans, killed 1,300 people and caused $80 billion in damage.

Forecasters had expected an active 2006 season as well, but only 10 storms formed, five of which became hurricanes. No hurricanes hit the US last year.