2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Overview: Record Storms and Climate Change Impacts
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season ended with 11 hurricanes, significantly above the average of seven. Notable occurrences included Hurricane Beryl, the first Category 4 storm in June, and Helene, the deadliest storm since Katrina, with over 200 fatalities. Hurricane Milton recorded wind speeds of 180 mph, and Rafael tied for the strongest November hurricane in Gulf history. Climate change factors prominently in this season’s heightened intensity.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season concluded on Saturday, marking a notably active season characterized by the formation of 11 hurricanes, surpassing the typical average of seven. This season resulted in substantial death and destruction far from the coasts where the storms made landfall. Meteorologists attributed the unusually high activity to elevated ocean temperatures, deeming it a “crazy busy” season. Eight hurricanes impacted regions including the United States, Bermuda, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Grenada.
One notable event was Hurricane Beryl, which emerged as the first Category 4 hurricane ever recorded in June, striking Carriacou in Grenada. After damaging crops and infrastructure in Jamaica, Beryl intensified into the earliest Category 5 hurricane in Atlantic history by July 1. Major hurricanes usually do not appear until September 1, highlighting the unprecedented timing of this formation.
September brought Hurricane Helene, which inflicted catastrophic damage across the southeastern United States, claiming over 200 lives and becoming the deadliest storm since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. North Carolina assessed the damages at approximately $48.8 billion, affecting homes, water systems, and agriculture in multiple states.
October saw Hurricane Milton achieve wind speeds of 180 mph, ranking among the strongest hurricanes recorded in the Gulf of Mexico. The rainfall in regions affected by both Helene and Milton was up to three times higher than usual, establishing records for Asheville, Tampa, and Orlando during the critical hurricane months.
Hurricane Rafael, striking in November, tied for the strongest November hurricane in Gulf history. The storm made landfall in Cuba, exacerbating recovery efforts from prior hurricane impacts.
The evident link between hurricane activity and climate change was underscored by experts, suggesting that rising carbon dioxide and methane levels significantly warm ocean waters, thus facilitating intense storm formations in unusual times and regions. “In other words, we never had a storm as strong as Beryl so early in the season anywhere in the Atlantic and we never had a storm as strong as Milton so late in the season in the Gulf of Mexico,” said Brian McNoldy, a hurricane researcher.
While attributing specific weather events directly to climate change remains complex, the correlation between climate conditions and extreme weather patterns is increasingly acknowledged.
The Atlantic hurricane season, spanning from June to November, is a period characterized by the formation and intensification of tropical storms that develop across the Atlantic Ocean. Meteorological assessments reveal that ocean temperatures significantly influence hurricane formation, with warmer waters contributing to more powerful storms. Furthermore, climate change, primarily driven by increased greenhouse gas emissions, has been linked to rising ocean temperatures, which in turn affects the frequency and intensity of hurricanes.
In summary, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season exemplified the increasing trend of intense hurricane activity, with record formations and unprecedented impacts on affected regions. The season’s defining events, including Hurricanes Beryl, Helene, Milton, and Rafael, underscore the growing interaction between climate change and severe weather phenomena. With experts asserting that rising ocean temperatures facilitate the emergence of extreme storms, further research into the relationship between climate change and hurricane dynamics remains crucial.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
