[C210N]

but conditions don't appear ripe for a repeat of 2005's record activity

The "forecasts" a year or so ago were not predicting record activity for '05 either, but then we got new records...

[C210N]

In the Spring of 2005, the forecast for the upcoming 2005 season was:

For named storms: December 3 '04 - 11 storms

April 1 - 13 storms

May 31 - 15 storms

Actual - 23 storms.

For net season activity: December 3 '04 - 115%

April 1 - 135%

May 31 - 170%

Actual - 239%

So, for 2006 you can read the forecasts, but as the saying goes: YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary)

[italianquaker]

In the center's detailed 2006 prediction report, meteorologists said water in the Atlantic is not as warm as it was at this stage in 2005. Warm water is a key fuel for hurricane development

This wont be repeated much so remember it