HOUSTON, Texas: Researchers from Colorado State University believe 20 major tropical storms will strike the Atlantic region this year.

Colorado State meteorologists have increased the number of storms to 20, up from 17 in their forecast issued in April.

Among these, they increased the number of expected hurricanes to nine from eight, with four being major hurricanes.

There have so far been five storms serious enough to be given names in 2021.

The season's first hurricane, Elsa, struck the west coast of Florida on Wednesdaylast week.

"Elsa's development and intensification into a hurricane in the tropical Atlantic also typically portends an active season," the report said. "We anticipate an above-normal probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean."

University officials said they predict that 2021 will be the sixth consecutive year to see an above-average number of major storms. A record 30 named storms were recorded in 2020.

The Colorado State forecast follows the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which predicts three to five major hurricanes with winds of at least 111 miles per hour in 2021.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also forecasts six to 10 hurricanes with winds of at least 74 mph to form from the tropical storms.

On average, hurricane season in the Atlantic between 1991 and 2020 saw seven hurricanes and 14 tropical storms.

In the Atlantic, the hurricane season begins on June 1 and ends November 30.