FACTBOX: Forecasts for 2007 Atlantic hurricane season

(Reuters) - The Colorado State University hurricane research team, led by William Gray, raised on Tuesday the number of storms it forecasts for the 2007 Atlantic storm season to 17 from 14, of which nine will become hurricanes.

The closely-watched report is in line with the forecasts of other experts, who predict a busy season after a quiet year in 2006. London-based Tropical Storm Risk on Tuesday also predicted 17 storms, of which nine would become hurricanes.

None of the forecasts so far predict anything like a repeat of record-breaking 2005, when 28 tropical storms spawned 15 hurricanes, including Katrina.

The following are the latest predictions for 2007:

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Tropical Storms Hurricanes Major Hurricanes

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NOAA (no forecast yet)

CSU 17 (prev 14) 9 (prev 7) 5 (prev 3)

TSR 16.7 (prev 16.7) 9.2 (prev 9.4 ) 4.2 (prev 4.3)

WSI (no forecast yet)

WRC 7 4 2

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NOAA (U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) forecast expected to be published in third week of May

CSU (Colorado State University team led by William Gray) forecast revised April 3. Next update due May 31

TSR (London-based Tropical Storm Risk) forecast revised April 3. Next update due May 4