The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season ended with 11 hurricanes, exceeding the average of seven, and caused significant destruction across the U.S. and Caribbean. Noteworthy events included Hurricane Beryl’s early Category 4 formation and Hurricane Helene’s unprecedented death toll. Climate change’s impact on storm intensity was emphasized by experts, marking the season as a milestone in Hurricane activity.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season concluded on Saturday, marking a tumultuous period characterized by 11 hurricanes, a significant increase from the average of seven. This season resulted in widespread devastation far from the U.S. Gulf Coast where storms made landfall. Meteorologists deemed it a “crazy busy” season, attributable to notably warm ocean temperatures. Eight hurricanes affected various regions, including the U.S., Bermuda, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Grenada.
A notable event was Hurricane Beryl, which became the first recorded Category 4 hurricane to form in June, striking Grenada and causing fatalities and destruction of crops and infrastructure in Jamaica. Notably, Beryl intensified into the earliest recorded Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic by July 1. Such major hurricanes are typically not observed until after September 1, according to the National Hurricane Center.
In September, Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across the southeastern United States, becoming the deadliest storm to impact the mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Helene claimed over 200 lives, and North Carolina alone faced damages estimated at $48.8 billion, resulting from the destruction of homes, drinking water systems, and agricultural areas. Similar extensive damages were reported across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Further intensification occurred in October with Hurricane Milton, which reached maximum wind speeds of 180 mph, entering the record books as one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Gulf of Mexico. The combination of Helene and Milton resulted in rainfall levels three times higher than average for September and October in several regions, marking it as the wettest two-month period on record for cities such as Asheville, Tampa, and Orlando.
November witnessed Hurricane Rafael, which, at wind speeds of 120 mph, nearly set a record as the strongest November hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. Rafael made landfall in Cuba, compounding recovery challenges from Hurricane Oscar’s earlier devastation.
Climate change played a subtle but influential role throughout the season, as rising levels of greenhouse gases are causing significant ocean warming. This climatic shift is facilitating the emergence and intensification of hurricanes at uncommon times and places. As noted by Brian McNoldy, a hurricane researcher at the University of Miami, this season’s storm patterns, particularly Beryl’s early ferocity and Milton’s late-season strength, highlight these alarming changes. While climate change cannot be directly attributed to specific storms, it undoubtedly increases the likelihood of these extreme weather events.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 annually, during which tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic Ocean. Over recent years, scientists have observed that rising ocean temperatures due to climate change are contributing to more intense and frequently occurring hurricanes. The correlation between these temperature alterations and the characteristics of hurricane seasons has become a priority of study among meteorologists and climate scientists, emphasizing the changing nature of climate dynamics and its potential ramifications on weather patterns.
In summary, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was marked by an unprecedented number of hurricanes that collectively resulted in substantial loss of life and widespread damage. The events underscored the increasingly unpredictable nature of hurricane seasons, drawing attention to the impacts of climate change on storm formation and intensity. The severity of storms like Beryl, Helene, Milton, and Rafael illustrates the pressing need for ongoing research and preparedness in the face of changing climatic conditions.
Original Source: www.wtvr.com
