The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season concluded with 18 named storms, including 11 hurricanes, five of which reached major hurricane status. While the initial phase was active, a mid-season lull was unexpected despite warm sea temperatures. The season saw record-setting storms such as Hurricane Beryl and Helene, which caused significant devastation and fatalities, attributed in part to climate change.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has concluded, marking a notably active period with 18 named tropical storms, of which 11 attained hurricane status, including five major hurricanes categorically classified as three and above. In contrast to the average season, which typically sees 14 storms and only three major hurricanes, this season experienced significant variation in activity levels. While some records were set, a marked lull occurred in the middle of the season, deviating from the usual peak periods of hurricane activity.
The season commenced with forecasts predicting extraordinary outcomes, and this presumption appeared to be validated early on with Hurricane Beryl. This storm became the earliest recorded Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic on July 2, resulting in extensive damage throughout the Caribbean before impacting southern Texas. However, following Beryl’s dissipation, a calm period ensued, yielding only four named storms and no major hurricanes until the arrival of Hurricane Helene in late September.
This period of inactivity was unexpected, especially given the consistently high sea surface temperatures across the tropical Atlantic, along with the anticipated end of El Nino’s effects, which typically inhibit hurricane formation. Nevertheless, an analysis suggests that shifts in African weather patterns may have sent storm-forming clusters farther north into less favorable regions, suppressing activity, despite the high ocean temperatures indicating potential for powerful hurricanes.
Hurricane Helene broke the silence at the season’s end, rapidly intensifying to a major Category 4 storm upon landfall in Florida. Official reports identify it as the deadliest hurricane to strike the continental U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, claiming over 150 lives. Following Helene, five additional storms formed quickly, four became hurricanes, and Hurricane Milton demonstrated an extraordinary rate of intensification, increasing wind speeds by 90 mph in just 24 hours, before making landfall in Florida as a Category 3 hurricane, causing severe weather events including an outbreak of tornadoes.
The final storm of the season, Tropical Storm Sara, formed but did not strengthen into a hurricane. Instead, it lingered near Central America, leading to significant flooding across Honduras. Observations report that sea temperatures of approximately 1°C above the 1991-2020 average have been key contributors to the season’s activity, correlating these conditions with climate change. Studies indicate that climate change has not only elevated the wind speeds of storms, specifically by 23 mph for Hurricane Milton but have also increased rainfall by 20-30%. In totality, while overall tropical cyclones may not become more frequent, the intensity and rainfall associated with these storms will likely pose greater dangers in the future.
The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30, with variations in storm activity typically observed throughout this period. Elevated sea surface temperatures, impacted by climate change, serve as a primary catalyst for the formation and intensification of tropical storms and hurricanes. With significant attention on fluctuations in global weather patterns, the interplay of natural phenomena such as El Nino and broader climatic changes necessitates a comprehensive understanding of their potential implications for hurricane development and intensity.
In summary, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season showcased an unusual pattern of activity characterized by an early surge led by Hurricane Beryl, followed by an extended period of quiet, and a dramatic resurgence with significant storms like Helene and Milton, all occurring against a backdrop of rising sea temperatures linked to climate change. This year’s events not only highlight the complexity of hurricane formation but also underline the increasing intensity and precipitation potential associated with these storms, raising concerns about their future implications in a warming climate.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
