GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman: Hurricane watchers in the Caribbean are expressing serious concern over what many consider a “ gloomy and worrying” forecast which has been presented by noted Climatologist William Gray, for the 2005 hurricane season.

Gray’s forecast, which has been updated since his December predictions when he pointed to 11 tropical storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes, on Friday suggests 13 named tropical storms in the Atlantic, seven of which will become hurricanes, with three turning into major storms with winds clocking speed in excess of 111 miles per hour.{{more}}

According to Caribbean Net News Senior Correspondent Norman ‘Gus’ Thomas, who has covered and experienced several hurricanes and tropical storms, “judging from what Gray said, it would appear that we will again have a busier than normal season. However, it looks as though this year will not be as active as last year when we saw 15 named storms, nine hurricanes six of which were major that created havoc in the Caribbean and in the U.S.”

Thomas said he is particularly concerned about the Cayman Islands and Grenada where residents are still trying to rebuild their lives following the destruction caused by Hurricane Ivan last September.

Meanwhile Professor Gray has hinted that he may be forced to increase the total number of storms but this depends on if he can be sure of no return by El Niño, which he said is a warm-water pattern in the Pacific that often depresses Atlantic hurricane activity.