Record-Breaking Hurricane Activity Expected to Impact Caribbean, Coastal U.S. in 2024

The Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project on Thursday released a forecast predicting an "extremely active" 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, highlighting the potential for above-average hurricane activity. As of April 4, conditions such as the current El Niño transitioning to La Niña, coupled with record warm sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic, are setting the stage for a season conducive to hurricane formation and intensification. The CSU team anticipates significant activity, including 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes of Category 3 or above. This forecast surpasses the 1991–2020 averages in all categories, reflecting an anticipated Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) of 210 and a Net Tropical Cyclone Activity (NTC) of 220%, significantly higher than the long-term averages. The forecast also points to a well above-average probability of major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and the...