Despite a recent lull, experts predict the Atlantic hurricane season is poised for an increase in activity as conditions become more favorable. While the past few weeks have seen unusually low levels of storm formation due to factors like Saharan dust and an altered storm track, September is anticipated to mark a shift towards a more typical, potentially even above-average, hurricane season.
Hurricane Ernesto, after causing flooding and damaging winds in Puerto Rico and the Lesser Antilles, is now heading toward Bermuda, posing a significant threat to the island. The storm is expected to strengthen and could reach near-major hurricane status before making its closest approach to Bermuda on Saturday. Meanwhile, Ernesto’s swells are causing dangerous rip currents along the US East Coast.
Hurricane Beryl, the first major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, has set records with its rapid intensification to Category 4 strength. While currently impacting the Caribbean, Beryl’s path and intensity remain uncertain, posing potential risks to Jamaica, Central America, and even the Gulf Coast of the United States.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an above-normal hurricane season in the Atlantic basin this year, with a total of 17 to 25 named storms forecasted. Between 8 and 13 of these storms are likely to become hurricanes, with up to seven reaching category three or higher. This prediction is based on a confluence of factors, including near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic, the developing La Niña in the Pacific, reduced Atlantic trade winds, and less wind shear.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be particularly dangerous, with meteorologists predicting a significant number of rapidly intensifying storms. This phenomenon, where a storm’s wind speed increases by at least 35 mph in 24 hours or less, can catch people off guard and leave little time for preparation.
