Achi news desk-
The US National Hurricane Center has published their forecast for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.
The forecast calls for a very active season in terms of the number of tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes expected.
Seventeen to 25 named storms are forecast. Eight to 13 of those storms are strengthening into hurricanes with four to seven becoming major hurricanes. A major hurricane has maximum sustained winds of 178 km/h or higher near its center. All those numbers are above the climate averages for the season.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Source: National Hurricane Center)
Factors given for the operational forecast include:
- near record warmth in the waters of the Atlantic ocean. Warm ocean waters provide fuel for tropical storms and hurricanes
- development of La Nina conditions in the Pacific. This produces a more favorable wind environment over the Atlantic, giving storms a better chance to organize and strengthen
- potential for an above normal west African monsoon season. That could produce more thunderstorms off the coast of Africa which can then act as “seeds” for tropical storms and hurricanes.
The list of names to use for storms for the 2024 season. (Source: National Hurricane Centre)
In general, more developed storms bring a greater risk of landfall in Atlantic Canada. It only takes one landfalling storm to make it a bad season. Hurricane Fiona impacted the Maritimes in 2022, a year that was actually close to average in terms of the number of tropical storms and hurricanes. Every resident should have a plan in case we are hit by a strong storm. Tips for preparation are available here.
