The 2009 hurricane season may be calmer than initially anticipated, according to WSI Corporation. In light of the unfavorable wind shear environment across the tropical Atlantic, the company amended its previous forecast of 11 named storms, six hurricanes, and two intense hurricanes. WSI forecasters now predict that a total of ten named storms, five hurricanes, and two intense hurricanes (those registering as a Category 3 or greater) will develop.

WSI says that the unfavorable wind shear environment across the tropical Atlantic is being driven by the recent development of a new El Nino event in the tropical Pacific. The impacts of the El Nino event have emerged more quickly than expected, resulting in a slight reduction in figures for the upcoming season.

"Ocean temperatures in the tropical Atlantic remain quite cool relative to the temperatures during the last 15, more tropically active years," said Dr. Todd Crawford, WSI seasonal forecaster. "Further, the new El Nino event continues to strengthen, resulting in an unfavorable wind shear environment across the tropical Atlantic. The early development of this enhanced wind shear along with the relatively cool tropical Atlantic temperatures…could potentially result in an unusually quiet season."