How bad will hurricane season be? One group says worse than normal

Of the storms, the forecasters say seven to nine will become hurricanes with two to four being major hurricanes.

The predictions come after last year’s above-average activity, which was tied with 1969 for the fourth most-active season.

What is causing forecasters to predict an active year?

The Caribbean Sea and water east of the Bahamas are already warm with water temperatures already hitting 80 degrees.

"Warm water is actually what drives a lot of seasons. So those will be areas to keep an eye on for early-season development," Dan Kottlowski, AccuWeather's hurricane expert, said.

The level of the storm is determined by wind speed, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Tropical depressions have sustained winds of 38 mph or less

Tropical storms have sustained winds between 39 and 73 mph.

Hurricanes have sustained winds of at least 74 mph.

Major hurricanes have sustained winds of 111 mph and will have a category of 3, 4 or 5.

So when hurricanes develop this year, what will they be called?

The list is actually recycled in a six-year rotation with names being replaced when a storm is so deadly or costly it would be inappropriate to reuse it, NOAA said.

This year's list includes: