(Fort Collins, CO) -- Forecasters are sticking to their prediction of an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year. The latest update from Colorado State University predicts 18 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major storms of Category 3 or higher. That's the same as their forecast last month. Tropical weather experts at the university initially called for a below-average season. However, they say extremely warm water in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic is expected to counteract some of the typical El Niño-driven increase in wind shear that would affect hurricanes. Hurricane season runs through November.