Hurricane season forecast gets worse, but tropics are quiet for now

• CSU forecasters predict 18 named storms, nine of them hurricanes and four of them major hurricanes of Category 3 intensity or greater.

Yes, but: The tropics are expected to remain quiet for the next seven days, according to the National Hurricane Center.

• Saharan dust might be partly to thank for that. It's swirling across the Atlantic and can suppress storm formation.
• The dust is expected to reach the Gulf this weekend and possibly bring hazy skies to south Florida.

What to do: Be sure to check out our hurricane prep tips before a storm is in the Gulf of Mexico.