Five intense hurricanes could come near Bermuda before the year is out according to the Bermuda Weather Service.

Adam Moyer, meteorologist on duty yesterday morning said a new forecast by Dr. Bill Grey was put out on August 1 and is not that far off from the previous forecast. "The current forecast is calling for 13 named tropical storms excluding the three we've already had. It also calls for nine hurricanes with five intense hurricanes through the end of the year."

Mr. Moyer explained so far Bermuda has had three name tropical storms which is only one storm below average.

"I think people remember 2005 where we had 20 named storms by August. That was the most intense year on record."

The meteorologist said even though we are below average, we might end up having a few storms.

"The climatological maximum for hurricane forms is in mid September so right now this activity in the Atlantic starts. We might end up having an active period."

Mr. Moyer said for the next few days, nothing is supposed to happen but the forecast could be different next week.

"Just because its been a relatively slow start here, it's not really anything that would stop us from having an active season. We might have 12 storms in September and then that would make it an active season. It just depends on how the atmosphere evolves in the next few weeks".