Hurricane season less than 100 days away; first forecast suggests above-average season

Published by BBNTEAM at February 25, 2024

Posted: Sunday, February 25, 2024. 6:49 pm CST.

Photo Credit: Matt Devitt/WINK-TV/Facebook

By Aaron Humes: At this time of the year when the sun is out almost every day and temperatures rarely fall below 80 degrees with a gentle easterly breeze, one can hardly fathom that hurricane season is less than 100 days away – but it is.

The 2024 season begins on June 1 with the first updates issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida, on May 15, and the first forecasts suggest another active and above-average season.

According to meteorologist Matt Devitt of WINK-TV, the CBS affiliate in Fort Myers, southwest Florida: “The early outlook is for an above-average active hurricane season this year because of record warm water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and El Niño potentially switching to La Niña at the peak of the season (historically lowers wind shear). Still plenty of time to watch how things evolve.”

The first forecast from Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) calls for 20 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes (Category 3 and above on the Saffir-Simpson scale). More forecasts are expected in the coming months from respected analysts including Colorado State University. The updated average forecast season for the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico is 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

As always, it only takes one storm to cause major damage so be sure to keep an eye out and update your hurricane plans before June 1.

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