ay 22 (Bloomberg) -- The 2008 hurricane season may be more active than usual with as many as nine forming in the Atlantic Ocean, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. Five hurricanes may be major.

At the lower end of the forecast, as few as six Atlantic hurricanes may form, including two major ones, which would make 2008 an average storm year. In the past two years, NOAA predictions have overestimated the number of hurricanes.

The government agency offered a 60 percent to 70 percent chance of its forecast range being accurate this season, and predicted 12 to 16 named storms in the Atlantic.

NOAA makes no predictions as to landfall until storms actually form. While varying in accuracy, the NOAA forecast is among those most closely watched by insurers, the energy markets and coastal cities. The hurricane season begins in 10 days.

The agency predicted 10 hurricanes last year, and only six formed. In 2006, NOAA forecast as many as nine hurricanes and only five were recorded. In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, the government forecaster underestimated storm activity.

In the past two months, AccuWeather.com and Colorado State University both said the 2008 hurricane season, which runs through Nov. 30, would be more active than usual.

Oil Rigs

CSU, a pioneer in the field, said both the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico coast, home to dozens of oil and gas rigs, have a 45 percent chance of being hit by a major hurricane. That compares with a 30 percent chance historically.

A major hurricane packs winds of more than 111 miles (179 kilometers) per hour.

AccuWeather said May 12 it foresees a riskier year than usual for the East Coast, and about an average year for the Gulf.

At least two or three tropical storms, including one major hurricane, will likely reach the U.S. between Florida and New England, the State College, Pennsylvania-based forecaster said.

On the Gulf Coast, at least one or two storms would probably make landfall with hurricane-force winds, AccuWeather said.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright 2008 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved.