Achi news desk-
Canadians and Americans along the Atlantic coast are being asked to prepare now, as forecasters are expecting an above-normal hurricane season.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in its 2024 forecast on Thursday said there was an 85 percent chance of an above-normal season, with 17-25 named storms — with a storm reaching at least 40 miles per hour. Winds, eight to 13 hurricanes and four to seven who reached great status.
“Notably, the outlook for hurricanes, hurricanes and major hurricanes is the highest NOAA has ever issued for a May forecast,” NOAA Administrator Rick Spinard told reporters Thursday. “This season looks to be an extraordinary season in several ways.”
There are several contributing factors, including rising ocean temperatures and the anticipation of La Nina coming into play.
La Niña refers to the cooling of surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, which leads to more precipitation and winds. NOAA expects it to go into effect in August and through the end of the hurricane season in October.
Hurricanes and tropical storms need fuel and with higher-than-normal and earlier-than-normal ocean temperatures, that means a greater chance these storms can develop, according to NOAA.
According to NOAA seasonal forecaster Matt Rosencrans, temperatures in the main area where hurricanes develop were as high as they would normally be in mid-August, about one to two degrees Celsius above normal.
The email you need for today’s top news from Canada and around the world.
However, La Nina is also expected to continue the development of storms because it can often reduce high-altitude winds—often referred to as wind shear—which can reduce hurricane intensity.
Peak hurricane season is usually from mid-August to mid-October, with the official season beginning on June 1st.
The Canadian Hurricane Center is also preparing for an active season, with preparedness meteorologist Bob Robicheau warning that Atlantic Canada typically sees about 35% of tropical storms make landfall.
“We know there’s probably going to be a lot and there’s probably going to be some very intense storms. The question is where they’re going, and we have to wait until they really develop to get a good handle on that,” Robicheau said during a news conference Thursday.
Officials say that while the forecast may seem alarming, they want people to take one important word away from it: prepare.
U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Deputy Director Eric Hawkes said this can include determining if people have medications that need refrigeration, medical devices that require electricity, mobility issues that could make it difficult to get around in an emergency, and establishing a plan when disaster strikes.
Robicheau echoed Hawkes’ comments, while noting that someone along the coast may have different risks compared to living inland.
He said once you know your risks you can plan potential solutions if you’re out of power or dealing with blocked roads. It added being sustainable for up to 72 hours with an emergency kit that includes non-perishable foods and other tools is also smart.
“These are the kind of things you have to start with, know what your risks are and then go for them or work through those risks to try and reduce those risks wherever they are,” he said.
Robicheau cautioned, however, that storms can come with multiple risks, adding that it’s important for people to keep an eye on the storm’s track because it may help indicate where coastal flooding could occur.
But he said it’s not just weather hazards that people need to watch out for.
In response to a Global News question during Thursday’s press conference about how Canadians can prepare, Robicheau reminded Canadians that generators should be located outside away from your home and in a well-ventilated area, noting the deadly consequences that can sometimes occur due to improper use of the devices.
National Weather Service Director Ken Graham stressed another reason officials are encouraging preparations now, before the first storm forms, is because of how quickly they can strengthen.
“In the last 100 years, every single one of these major, Category 5 storms has been a tropical storm in the three days before and some didn’t even exist three days before,” Graham said.
“They don’t care about a timeline, readiness is everything.”
© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
