The Atlantic ocean could see another above-average hurricane season this year, with 11-17 big storms and as many as nine hurricanes, forecasters said on Thursday. An average season produces 12 named storms of which six become hurricanes. Forecasters predict a 70 per cent likelihood of 11 to 17 named storms, referring to tropical storms with winds of 39 miles per hour or higher. Five to nine of those storms could become hurricanes, with winds of 74 mph or higher. Two to four hurricanes are expected to be “major,” meaning Category 3 or higher, with winds of 111 mph or more. The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.