Predicting ten hurricanes...do I hear 11?

Once again it is time for our wonderful people down at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to make their best guess estimate or what they call a "forecast" that predicts the hurricane season. What is the number for this year?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The 2007 Atlantic hurricane season will be more active than normal with 13 to 17 tropical storms, and as many as ten of them could become hurricanes, the U.S. government's top climate agency predicted on Tuesday.

Of the seven to 10 hurricanes forecast, three to five will be major ones of Category 3 or higher with winds over 110 mph (177 kmh), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in its annual forecast.

An average Atlantic hurricane season brings 11 tropical storms, of which six reach hurricane wind speed of 74 mph (119 kmh), including two major hurricanes, NOAA said. The hurricane season, which officially starts on June 1, typically peaks between August 1 and late October.

How did they do last year with their predictions?
Earlier forecasts for the season also have predicted the return of an active pattern this year, after last season when no major hurricanes hit the United States. Forecasters had expected an active 2006 season, but only 10 storms formed.