 Multiple agencies predicted above average activity , citing forecasts for slower @-@ than @-@ average trade winds , warmer @-@ than @-@ normal sea surface temperatures , abnormally low wind shear , and the unlikelihood of an El Niño developing prior to the peak of the season . On December 5 , 2012 , Tropical Storm Risk ( TSR ) , a public consortium consisting of experts on insurance , risk management , and seasonal climate forecasting at University College London , issued an extended @-@ range forecast . In its report , the organization called for 15 @.@ 4 ( ± 4 @.@ 3 ) named storms , 7 @.@ 7 ( ± 2 @.@ 9 ) hurricanes , 3 @.@ 4 ( ± 1 @.@ 6 ) major hurricanes , and a cumulative Accumulated Cyclone Energy ( ACE ) index of 134 . While no value was placed on the number of expected landfalls during the season , TSR stated that the landfalling ACE index was expected to be above average . Four months later , on April 5 , Tropical Storm Risk issued its updated forecast , continuing to call for an above @-@ average season with 15 @.@ 2 ( ± 4 @.@ 1 ) named storms , 7 @.@ 5 ( ± 2 @.@ 8 ) hurricanes , 3 @.@ 4 ( ± 1 @.@ 6 ) major hurricanes , and an ACE index of 131 ; the landfalling ACE index was once again forecast to be higher than normal . 
