2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Closes With Record Storms and Impact

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season closed with 11 hurricanes, eclipsing the average of seven. Significant storms included Hurricane Beryl, which made history as the first Category 4 hurricane in June. Hurricane Helene caused over 200 deaths and substantial damages estimated at $48.8 billion in North Carolina, while Hurricane Milton recorded winds of 180 mph. The season raised concerns about the impact of climate change on hurricane formation and intensity.

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season concluded on Saturday, marking a period that experienced 11 hurricanes, surpassing the average of seven. This season has left significant devastation many miles from where storms made landfall across the Gulf Coast. Meteorologists have described the season as “crazy busy,” primarily due to abnormally warm ocean temperatures. Notably, hurricanes made landfall in locations such as the U.S., Bermuda, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Grenada.

Among the most remarkable events was Hurricane Beryl, which became the first recorded Category 4 hurricane to form in June, impacting the island of Carriacou in Grenada. Following Beryl, on July 1, it escalated to the earliest Category 5 hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic. Typically, major hurricanes, categorized as 3 and above, do not emerge until after September 1, according to the National Hurricane Center.

September witnessed Hurricane Helene, the deadliest storm to strike the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, causing over 200 fatalities and about $48.8 billion in damages in North Carolina alone. This storm devastated homes, agricultural assets, and water systems across the southeastern U.S., impacting Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia with extensive destruction.

The month of October brought Hurricane Milton, which rapidly intensified and achieved wind speeds of 180 mph, making it one of the most intense hurricanes recorded in the Gulf of Mexico, second only to Hurricane Rita of 2005. The affected regions experienced record rainfall, with Asheville, Tampa, and Orlando record-breaking precipitation levels during September and October, typically the peak months for hurricane activity.

Hurricane Rafael, striking in November, reached winds of 120 mph, nearly making it the strongest November hurricane ever recorded in the Gulf, tying with Hurricane Kate from 1985. Rafael impacted Cuba while it was still recovering from Hurricane Oscar, which had caused widespread blackouts a month prior.

Experts attribute this busy hurricane season to climate change, noting that rising ocean temperatures contribute to an increase in hurricane formation and intensity. Brian McNoldy, a hurricane researcher at the University of Miami, explained, “we never had a storm as strong as Beryl so early in the season anywhere in the Atlantic and we never had a storm as strong as Milton so late in the season in the Gulf of Mexico.” He emphasizes that while climate change may not directly cause specific weather events, it indeed makes extreme storms more probable.

The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30, during which storms can develop in warm ocean waters. In recent years, the frequency and intensity of hurricanes have raised concerns among meteorologists and researchers, particularly in relation to climate change. This year, several hurricanes formed earlier or persisted longer than typical seasonal patterns. Climate change has led to increased ocean temperatures, which is a significant factor in hurricane formation. Warmer waters can fuel storms, leading to more robust systems developing unexpectedly early or late in the typical storm season. Observations indicate that hurricanes are becoming more frequent and severe, prompting a need for improved forecasting and preparedness strategies in vulnerable regions.

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has proven to be extraordinarily active and destructive, with records being broken both in the number of hurricanes and their intensity. Notably, the emergence of early and late-season hurricanes underscores the influence of climate change on storm behavior. As researchers continue to study these patterns, the importance of preparedness and adaptation becomes increasingly paramount for communities at risk from such natural disasters.

Original Source: wsvn.com