NOAA Updates Hurricane Forecast for Active Atlantic Season

MIAMI – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued an updated outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, indicating that hot ocean temperatures are contributing to an "extremely active" season. As Tropical Storm Debby continues to impact the mid-Atlantic and Southeast after making landfall, NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has revised its forecast, now predicting between 17 and 24 named storms for the season, down from the initial estimate of 17 to 25. The forecast maintains that 8 to 13 of these storms could develop into hurricanes, with 4 to 7 potentially becoming major hurricanes. This season has already seen four named storms, including Hurricane Beryl, which made history as the earliest Category 5 storm in the Atlantic. Beryl's path resulted in significant destruction, causing at least 20 fatalities in the Caribbean before making landfall in Texas and leading to severe flooding in Vermont. NOAA attributes the heightened activity to several factors, including warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures, an enhanced West African monsoon, and reduced trade winds and vertical wind shear. With a 90% probability of an above-normal season, NOAA emphasizes the importance of preparedness as the official peak of the hurricane season approaches on September 10, with the season running through November 30. The agency warns that the time to prepare for potential storms is now, as conditions remain conducive for further hurricane development.