2024 Hurricane Season Concludes with 18 Named Storms and Notable Impacts

The 2024 hurricane season ended with 18 named storms, including 11 hurricanes—five of which were major. Notably, Hurricane Beryl rapidly intensified to a Category 5, while Hurricane Helene became the most deadly storm, leading to 103 deaths in North Carolina. Despite substantial damages exceeding $1 billion, advancements in warning systems helped reduce fatalities.

The 2024 hurricane season concluded on November 30, recording an unusual total of 18 named storms, including 11 hurricanes, with five classified as major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher. This season deviated from the norm, where an average includes 14 named storms and 7 hurricanes. Tom Kines, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, highlighted that several storms behaved unpredictably, which was atypical for the season. Notably, the four hurricanes that impacted the United States—Beryl, Debby, Helene, and Milton—resulted in damages surpassing $1 billion.

The season commenced on June 1, with Tropical Storm Alberto, the initial storm, forming on June 19. Hurricane Beryl exhibited unprecedented rapid intensification, escalating from a tropical storm to a Category 5 in just 14 hours, marking the earliest instance of such severity. Beryl impacted Texas as a Category 1 hurricane on July 8, yet fatalities were minimal due to improved early warning systems.

Subsequent storms included Hurricane Debby, which made landfall in Florida, and Hurricane Ernesto, affecting Puerto Rico. Similarly, Tropical Storm Francine, which transitioned to a Category 2 hurricane, became a threat to southern Louisiana. Throughout the season, meteorologists noted that the behavior of these storms diverged significantly from expected patterns.

Hurricane Helene emerged as the most deadly of the season, claiming 103 lives in North Carolina, becoming the most lethal storm since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Multiple storms, such as Hurricane Milton and others, led to unprecedented occurrences such as the simultaneous presence of three storms in the Atlantic. In total, the Pacific region reported 11 named storms, including four hurricanes.

Kristy, a Category 5 hurricane, emerged as a prominent storm in the Pacific, while the broader trend suggests a troubling escalation of extreme weather events, exacerbated by the climate crisis. This pattern raises concerns regarding the increasing frequency and intensity of such destructive storms.

The article discusses the conclusion of the 2024 hurricane season, highlighting significant meteorological events that characterized this year’s storms. It underlines deviations from historical norms, the economic impact of hurricanes on the United States, and the evolution of storm intensity and frequency due to climate change. Insights from meteorologists provide a deeper understanding of the unpredictable nature of the storms encountered during this season. Additionally, it addresses deaths and damages resulting from these storms while noting advancements in early warning systems that may have mitigated fatalities.

In summary, the 2024 hurricane season was marked by an unusual number of named storms and significant impacts across the Atlantic and Pacific regions. Despite an increase in named storms and greater economic damages, advancements in early warning systems contributed to fewer fatalities than might have otherwise occurred. Ongoing climate change continues to shape hurricane patterns, suggesting an urgent need for continued observation and adaptation in preparedness strategies.

Original Source: www.upi.com