Colorado State University (CSU) maintained its Atlantic hurricane season forecast Wednesday, saying the odds of a major hurricane making landfall in the continental United States remain "well below-average" as researchers are "extremely confident" a strong El Niño will be present during the peak of the season. CSU pioneered seasonal Atlantic hurricane forecasts beginning in 1984. In comparison, an average Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, including 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes. WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TROPICAL DEPRESSION, TROPICAL STORM AND HURRICANE? However, many other factors outside of El Niño can impact Atlantic hurricane activity, most notably water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic.