ACTIVE, BUT NOT AS BAD AS LAST YEAR

May 22, 2009 -- The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season forecast calls for nine to 14 named storms, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

NOAA predicts that four to seven storms will be hurricanes, and that one to three will be major hurricanes with winds of at least 111 mph.

The agency released its initial outlook on Thursday for the six-month season, which begins June 1.

The 2009 outlook calls for a slightly less active season than last year, which produced 16 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major storms. Remember Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike?

Tropical storms get a name when storm strength and sustained winds top 39 mph. Tropical storms become hurricanes when winds reach 74 mph, and become major hurricanes when winds increase to 111 mph.

The first name for 2009 is Ana.