The record-breaking 2005 hurricane season officially ended less than a week ago. So, it is time to start buying plywood, nails and duct tape - and energy futures - ahead of next year?

Veteran Colorado State University hurricane forecaster William Gray predicts 2006 will be active, but not as severe at this past season, which damaged oil and gas producing and processing facilities along the Gulf Coast. Gray, who has been making predictions for 22 years, gives the following rundown for next season: 17 named storms, 9 hurricanes and 5 intense hurricanes. That compares with the record 26 named storms, 14 hurricanes and 7 major hurricanes this past season.

News of Gray’s forecast is here, while would-be weathermen who want the technical assessment straight from the source can find the original report here.

For the Gulf Coast oil region, Gray’s nutshell forecast is: likelihood of tropical storm 74% (vs 59% over the past 100 years); likelihood of category 1-2 hurricane 61% (vs 42%); likelihood of category 3-4-5 storm 47% (vs 30%); likelihood of all hurricanes 79% (vs 61%); likelihood of named storm 95% (vs 83%).

It’s worth noting, too, that the professor’s forecasts for the past three years have underestimated the extent of the hurricane season. For 2005, Gray forecast 11 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 3 intense hurricanes.