A busier-than-average hurricane season is on the cards, a forecast has predicted.

Researchers at North Carolina State University said that the Atlantic area could see between 14 and 18 tropical storms with seven and 11 hitting hurricane strength.

The NCSU prediction on Monday came two weeks after Colorado State University predicted a slightly busier-than-average season.

But the Tropical Storm Risk Consortium forecast a slightly below average season on the same day. The Atlantic has experienced an average of 11 named storms per year since 1950, with an average of seven reaching hurricane strength.

James Dodgson, director of the Bermuda Weather Service, said it was still too early to make accurate predictions on how active the new season will be.

He added: “Whether it is busy or quiet, it only takes one, so we must always be prepared at the start of each hurricane season.”

The hurricane season will begin on June 1 and continue until November 30, but storms can form before or after that period.

A total of 17 named storms were recorded last year, including ten hurricanes and six major hurricanes.

The Caribbean, Texas and Florida all suffered major damage due to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. But Bermuda escaped unharmed.

Mr Dodgson had discussions with other meteorologists at a recent meeting of the World Meteorological Organisation’s Hurricane Committee.

He said that due to the significant losses of life and property last year, the committee agreed to retire the hurricane names Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate.

Mr Dodgson said those names would be replaced by Harold, Idalia, Margot and Nigel.