U.S. forecasters raise outlook for 2012 Atlantic hurricane season

MIAMI Aug 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. weather agency NOAA, raised its outlook for the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season on Thursday and now expects near-normal to above-normal activity.

Forecasters expect the June-through-November season will bring 12 to 17 tropical storms, with five to eight of those becoming hurricanes and two to three strengthening into 'major hurricanes.' (Reporting by Jane Sutton)