Hurricane expert and researcher Dr. William Gray from Colorado State University has released his latest forecast for the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. His forecast still calls for an active season with a better than average chance for the United States coastline to be struck by a major hurricane. A major hurricane is classified as a category 3 or stronger storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
It is important to note that an active season can occur with numerous storms developing out in the open ocean, and none of the storms may ever threaten a coastline. However, Dr. Gray says there is also an above average chance for a portion of the United States coastline to be struck by a major hurricane in 2004: