The tranquil opening of the North Atlantic hurricane season has prompted weather experts to reduce their forecasts for the year.

Fears were high that the 2006 hurricane season would again be above average and while experts say there is still every chance that the predictions may well prove correct, they are taking a cautiously positive stance that the season may not be a lively as first expected.

Sea temperatures are said to have cooled to near normal levels which have eased fears from some that the season could match those of its predecessors in the past two years. While there is every expectation that there will be around four hurricanes and some 14 named storms, there is an expectation that the season will mirror those of 2000 and 2003.