of record activity, America's pre-eminent hurricane forecaster reported yesterday.

Colorado State University professor William Gray told the Associated Press that he and his associates expect nine named storms, five hurricanes and two major hurricanes in 2001.

The 1950 to 1990 average for the Atlantic Basin, which includes the North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, is 9.3 named storms, 5.8 hurricanes and 2.2 major hurricanes per year.

Dr. Gray noted that while the 2001 season seemed likely to be milder than five of the past six years, it should still exceed activity in the surprisingly quiet period of 1970 to 1994, when population grew at a rapid pace along the US East Coast and Florida.

Last year, the Colorado State team's final update in August called for 11 named storms, seven hurricanes and three intense hurricanes.

The 2000 season wrapped up on November 30 with 15 named storms, eight hurricanes and three intense hurricanes.

Bermuda felt the effects of Hurricane Alberto, which became the longest-lived August storm on record, Hurricane Florence, Hurricane Isaac and Hurricane Michael but suffered no direct hits or major damage. Only two named storms hit the mainland of the US, both in Florida.