Experts from Colorado State University have issued a warning for an “extremely active” 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. On April 4, they released a forecast predicting 23 named storms, with 11 potentially becoming hurricanes. This outlook places the East Coast at an increased risk of experiencing a major hurricane.

Key Factors Behind the Forecast

The report points to warmer Atlantic waters and the expected shift to La Niña conditions as primary reasons for the surge in hurricane activity. Current temperatures in the Atlantic are unusually high for spring, matching what is typically observed in mid-summer.

Isaac Schluesche, a leading researcher on the team, notes these are record-breaking temperatures for this time of year, providing substantial fuel for hurricanes. The hurricane season, running from June 1 to November 30, may see further warming.

“We’re experiencing temperatures that we typically tend to see towards June or July already,” said Schluesche.

The transition from El Niño to La Niña conditions between August and October is also pivotal. This shift influences global weather patterns, with La Niña known to intensify hurricane activity by inducing droughts in the Southeast U.S. Additionally, the forecast suggests a decrease in Saharan dust outbreaks that usually inhibit hurricane formation, raising parallels to the record-setting 2020 season, which witnessed 30 named storms.

Future updates to the forecast are scheduled for June 11, July 9, and August 6. Currently, NOAA has yet to release its predictions for the hurricane season. This early warning of an extremely active Atlantic hurricane season from Colorado State University shows the importance of preparedness for severe weather events in the upcoming months.

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