The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook and is predicting an above average season.
Forecasters are predicting a total of 17 to 25 named storms, with 8 to 13 of those storms forecast to become hurricanes, including 4 to 7 storms expected to become major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5).
NOAA attributes the active hurricane season to the combination of warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, as well as La Niña conditions in the Pacific Ocean. These conditions, paired with African easterly waves and reduced Atlantic trade winds, fuel the development of stronger and more powerful storms.
The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through November 30. Officials caution that severe weather can happen at any moment and encourage everyone to be prepared.
OUC’s Storm Center can assist you in preparing an action plan, guiding you on reporting an outage, and signing up for proactive alerts. Our online resource also provides safety tips, storm videos, and a tropical weather guide available in both English and Spanish.
As you prepare for an active hurricane season, now is the time to stock up on supplies before a storm hits. The 2024 Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins Saturday, June 1 and runs through Friday, June 14. Click here to see a list of items that qualify for the sales tax exemption.
