AccuWeather meteorologists are forecasting 20-25 named storms across the Atlantic basin in 2024, including 8-12 hurricanes, four to seven major hurricanes, and four to six direct U.S. impacts.
- This is all above the 30-year historical average of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, three major hurricanes. and four direct U.S. impacts.
- The Atlantic hurricane season officially gets underway on June 1 and runs through the end of November,
Why this matters: “The Texas coast, Florida Panhandle, South Florida and the Carolinas are at a higher-than-average risk of direct impacts this season,” AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Forecaster Alex DaSilva said.
- “All residents and interests along the U.S. coast, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, should have a hurricane plan in place and always be fully prepared for a direct impact.”
Dig Deeper: “Sea-surface temperatures are well above historical average across much of the Atlantic basin, especially across the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and the Main Development Region,” DaSilva explained.
- The Atlantic water temperatures observed in March were around or even warmer than they were in March ahead of the blockbuster 2005 and 2020 hurricane seasons, which had 30 named storms.
Also, El Niño, when temperatures in this area are higher than historical averages, in the Pacific Ocean is shifting to La Niña, when temperatures in this zone are lower than long-term normals.
- La Niña was present during the 2020, 2021 and 2022 Atlantic hurricane seasons, all of which featured near or well above the historical average of 14 named storms.
Remembering Mr. Gray
On March 22, an Escambia County grand jury indicted Jordon Dominique King on two counts of first-degree premeditated murder of his grandparents Clay and Andrea King.
More to the Story: Clay King taught advanced placement AP English literature and composition and advanced vocabulary for 37 years, retiring in 2011. He was one of my daughters’ favorite teachers. Andrea King was a special needs administrator for Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System and Escambia County School system, retiring not long after her husband did.
- When word of his death circulated among his former students, the sense of loss was profound. Many reached out to the family asking how they could help. Brent King, their son, set up a GoFundMe account.
Read my Outtakes.