The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season concluded with a total of 11 hurricanes, surpassing the average of seven, and leaving a trail of death and destruction across various regions. Meteorologists described it as an exceptionally active season, attributed in part to unusually warm ocean temperatures. Eight hurricanes made landfall in locations including the U.S., Bermuda, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Grenada.
Key Highlights of the Season:
Hurricane Beryl: In June, Hurricane Beryl became the first Category 4 hurricane on record to form in that month, impacting Carriacou in Grenada and causing significant damage in Jamaica. The storm later intensified into the earliest Category 5 hurricane ever observed in the Atlantic on July 1.
Hurricane Helene: September saw Hurricane Helene wreak havoc across the southeastern U.S., resulting in catastrophic damage and over 200 fatalities. The storm caused extensive destruction in states like North Carolina, with estimated damages exceeding $48.8 billion.
Hurricane Milton: In October, Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified, reaching wind speeds of 180 mph, making it one of the strongest hurricanes by wind speed recorded in the Gulf of Mexico, second only to Hurricane Rita in 2005.
Climate Change and Hurricane Season: The impact of climate change on hurricane formation was evident in the 2024 season. Rising ocean temperatures, attributed to planet-warming gases, are creating conditions conducive to the development and intensification of hurricanes in atypical locations and times.
Experts emphasize that while climate change may not directly cause specific weather events, it significantly increases the likelihood of extreme storms like those witnessed during the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.
As the season comes to a close, the aftermath of these powerful storms serves as a stark reminder of the growing influence of climate change on natural disasters.
