Understanding the 2024 Hurricane Season: Types, Predictions, and Preparation

Miami, Florida, Florida United States of America
AccuWeather predicts a supercharged hurricane season in 2024 due to La Niña and record warm water temperatures in the Atlantic basin
A tropical depression has maximum sustained winds of 38 mph or less
A tropical storm has maximum sustained winds ranging from 39 to 73 mph and gets the next name in the official list for that basin in that year
Hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and lasts until November 30
Hurricanes have maximum sustained winds of at least 74 mph, occurring in either the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific basins
Individuals and communities need to be prepared for potential impacts from tropical storms or hurricanes
Major hurricanes have maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph and are also referred to as Category 3 intensity on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
NOAA predicts an 85% chance of above-normal hurricane activity in 2024 with four to seven major hurricanes possible
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) maintains and updates the list of tropical cyclone names
Tropical cyclones are systems with well-organized thunderstorms around a closed, low-level center that derives energy from warm ocean water
Understanding the 2024 Hurricane Season: Types, Predictions, and Preparation

Hurricane season, which officially begins on June 1 and lasts until November 30, is a time of heightened concern for those living in coastal areas. With the Atlantic Ocean's warm waters providing the fuel for tropical storm formation, meteorologists are predicting an active hurricane season in 2024. According to NOAA, there is an 85% chance of above-normal activity this year, with four to seven major hurricanes possible. Let's explore some essential terms related to hurricanes and the upcoming season.

Types of Storms Tropical cyclones are systems characterized by well-organized thunderstorms around a closed, low-level center that derives energy from warm ocean water. A tropical depression is a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph or less. A tropical storm has maximum sustained winds ranging from 39 to 73 mph and gets the next name in the official list for that basin in that year. Hurricanes are tropical cyclones with maximum sustained winds of at least 74 mph, occurring in either the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific basins. Major hurricanes have maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph and are also referred to as Category 3 intensity on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Hurricane Season Terms and Predictions The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) maintains and updates the list of tropical cyclone names. The 2024 hurricane names include Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, and so on. AccuWeather predicts a supercharged hurricane season in 2024 due to the combination of La NiƱa and record warm water temperatures in the Atlantic basin. Based on averages from 1991 to 2020, an average Atlantic hurricane season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.

Unexpected Cases Despite advancements in forecasting technology and improved rapid intensification forecasts since about 2014, unexpected cases like Otis still occur. In October 2023, Otis rapidly intensified unexpectedly in the eastern Pacific Ocean and made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane in Acapulco, Mexico.

Preparation and Precautions Severe weather and emergencies can happen at any moment. Individuals and communities need to be prepared for potential impacts from tropical storms or hurricanes. Stay informed about the latest forecasts from reliable sources such as the National Hurricane Center, NOAA, or your local meteorological agency.



Confidence

96%

Doubts
  • Could there be any errors in the predicted hurricane names for 2024?
  • Is the prediction of a supercharged hurricane season based on reliable data?

Sources

99%

  • Unique Points
    • NOAA predicts an 85% chance of ‘above-normal’ hurricane activity this season, with four to seven major hurricanes possible.
    • Severe weather and emergencies can happen at any moment, individuals and communities need to be prepared.
    • Warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean are expected to contribute to tropical storm formation.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

  • Unique Points
    • A tropical cyclone is a system with well-organized thunderstorms around a closed, low-level center that derives energy from warm ocean water.
    • A tropical depression has maximum sustained winds of 38 mph or less.
    • A tropical storm has maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph and gets the next name in the official list for that basin in that year.
    • Hurricanes are tropical cyclones with maximum sustained winds of at least 74 mph, occurring in either the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific basins.
    • Major hurricanes have maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph and are also referred to as Category 3 intensity on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
  • Accuracy
    • ]A tropical cyclone is a system with well-organized thunderstorms around a closed, low-level center that derives energy from warm ocean water.[
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

  • Unique Points
    • Names for tropical cyclones are maintained and updated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
    • The 2024 hurricane names include Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, and so on.
    • AccuWeather predicts a supercharged hurricane season in 2024 due to the combination of La Niña and record warm water temperatures.
    • Based on averages from 1991 to 2020, an average Atlantic hurricane season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.
    • In 2023, Florida was hit by three major hurricanes: Ian, Nicole, and Ian post-tropical cyclone.
    • The first named storm typically forms in mid to late June.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

94%

  • Unique Points
    • Four tropical storms, including the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, Camille in 1969, Andrew in 1992 and Michael in 2018, made landfall as Category 5 hurricanes after rapid intensification.
    • Otis, a storm in the eastern Pacific Ocean, rapidly intensified unexpectedly and made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane in Acapulco, Mexico in October 2023.
    • Rapid intensification forecasts have improved significantly since about 2014, but unexpected cases like Otis still occur.
  • Accuracy
    • The hurricane season of 2024 is expected to be active with more storms than usual.
    • Recent successes in predicting rapid intensification include hurricanes Idalia and Lee in 2021.
  • Deception (80%)
    The article provides valuable information about the importance of predicting rapid intensification in hurricanes and the progress made in doing so. However, there are instances of emotional manipulation and selective reporting that lower the score. The author uses phrases like 'wispy tropical storms with often underestimated intent' and 'nightmare scenario' to elicit an emotional response from readers. Additionally, while discussing improvements in forecasting rapid intensification, the author only mentions specific examples of successful predictions without mentioning instances where forecasts were incorrect or unsuccessful. This selective reporting skews the reader's perception of the accuracy of these predictions.
    • That kind of nightmare scenario is important to be able to predict.
    • But it’s been a very difficult one to predict since the beginning of hurricane predictions.
    • The hurricanes are examples of some of the worst cases of rapid intensification on record, and why scientists have feverishly worked to improve forecasts for the scary spin up of winds defined as an increase of 35 mph or more in a 24-hour period.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication