this year.

Meteorologists from Cropcast, the agricultural arm of the Earth Satellite Corp., say the Atlantic hurricane season could yield as many as 20 named storms, with at least ten developing into hurricanes.

A normal year is considered to be one which has ten storms named by the National Hurricane Centre in Miami, five of which develop into hurricanes.

Cropcast said the forecast was based on the strength of this year's La Nina event in the eastern tropical Pacific. If the prediction turns out to be correct, those living in the areas affected by the storms could have substantial loss of property and infrastructure. The insurance industry, which is also suffering from heavy loss claims in January, will also be affected.

The hurricane season normally starts in June and finishes at the end of November.