Meteorologists are predicating that the Atlantic hurricane season will be an active one, with up to seven major storms forecasted for the next six months.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts eight to 14 hurricanes for the 2010 season, which starts on Tuesday and runs to Nov. 30.

The hurricane centre says three to seven of those hurricanes could reach Category 3 or more -- meaning sustained winds of at least 176 km/h.

The Canadian Hurricane Centre says the U.S. prediction is similar to other forecasts issued this year.

"We don't know necessarily before hurricane season starts where those storms will actually track but all the large scale weather systems point toward an above average season," Chris Fogarty, program supervisor for the Canadian centre, told CTV News Channel.

He said the average season has two or three major storms, with one or two affecting Canadian territory.

Last year was a relatively quite year for Canada, with only hurricane Bill and tropical storm Danny impacting the East Coast.

In the U.S, NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco issued a warning for coastal citizens to prepare for the season.

"If this outlook holds true, this season could be one of the more active on record," she said in a statement. "The greater likelihood of storms brings an increased risk of a landfall."