MIAMI, April 9 (Reuters) - The noted Colorado State University hurricane research team predicted on Wednesday that 15 tropical storms would form in the coming hurricane season, of which 8 would strengthen into hurricanes.

The forecast team founded by Bill Gray increased its forecast by two tropical storms and one hurricane over its last outlook issued in December due to improved conditions for storm development, including warmer sea surface temperatures in the eastern Atlantic. (Reporting by Michael Christie, editing by Tom Brown)

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