Federal weather forecasters Thursday predicted an "active to extremely active" Atlantic hurricane season this year, with as many as 14 hurricanes, seven of them major.

Officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also said a hurricane could accelerate the breakup of any oil it might encounter.

Speaking at a briefing at the National Press Club, experts said the churning action of the wind and waves could help dilute an oil slick of the kind in Gulf of Mexico.

The experts said several factors pointed to a busy hurricane season, including higher ocean temperatures and the waning of the Pacific ocean El Nino phenomenon, which tends to suppress hurricane activity.

Hurricane season begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30.

[link to www.washingtonpost.com]

So now, hurricanes are good for the oil spill?