ORLANDO, Fla. – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday released its predictions for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, nine days before the official start of the season.
NOAA predicts an above-average season and forecasts 17-25 named storms in 2024. Of those, 8 to 13 could be hurricanes and 4 to 7 of those could become major hurricanes, reaching Category 3 intensity or greater.
This is NOAA’s highest-ever May forecast in terms of number of storms.
This is NOAA’s second-highest ACE forecast, only behind the 2010 season. ACE stands for accumulated cyclone energy and measures the intensity of the storms.
“This season is looking to be an extraordinary one, in a number of ways based on our data and models. With the El Niño, La Niña playing a significant role,” NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said.
Throughout the summer, we’ll likely fully transition into a La Niña pattern, promoting a much more active hurricane season. Read more on how La Niña will affect this year’s season by clicking here.
List of names for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season.
If some of these names sound familiar, you’re right! Each list is recycled every six years, unless a hurricane gets its name retired. This year’s list is the same one from 2018, with the exception of Florence and Michael. Those two retired storms have been replaced with Francine and Milton.
No matter the forecast, remember it only takes one storm for a season to become a memorable one. Now is the time to prepare your home and family ahead of whatever may come our way this year.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
Do you know how to secure your home, build a hurricane kit, or prep a safe room? We’ve got all that information and more at clickorlando.com/hurricane.
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