The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season ended with 11 hurricanes, exceeding average activity, and causing widespread devastation, particularly from Hurricane Helene, which resulted in over 200 deaths, and Hurricane Milton, which hit record wind speeds. Climate change and warmer ocean temperatures contributed to the intensity and unusual timing of these storms, signaling a potential increase in extreme weather events in the future.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has concluded, characterized by an unprecedented number of 11 hurricanes, significantly surpassing the average of seven. This season’s hurricanes inflicted severe damage across various locations, reaching far beyond the U.S. Gulf Coast. Notable storms include Hurricane Beryl, which formed as the earliest recorded Category 5 hurricane in July, and Hurricane Helene, which was the deadliest storm to strike the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, resulting in over 200 fatalities and widespread devastation estimated at $48.8 billion in North Carolina alone. Hurricane Milton also marked a significant event, reaching wind speeds of 180 mph in the Gulf of Mexico, making it one of the strongest hurricanes recorded. Meteorologists have attributed the intense activity of this season to unusually warm ocean temperatures fueled by climate change. The extreme weather events this season have underscored the impact of global warming on hurricane development, with increasing likelihoods of storms forming outside usual patterns.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year, with various factors influencing the formation and intensity of hurricanes. Traditionally, September is considered the peak month for hurricane activity. However, climate change has altered atmospheric conditions and ocean temperatures, leading to higher probabilities of both earlier and stronger storms. The increased heat from ocean waters contributes to storm formation and intensification, impacting regions that are typically less affected by hurricanes. This cycle of escalating storm intensity and frequency poses significant threats to coastal communities and enhances the urgency for understanding climate change implications on weather patterns.
In summary, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has been marked by unprecedented hurricane activity and severity, attributed largely to climate change. With major storms like Hurricanes Beryl, Helene, Milton, and Rafael contributing to significant loss of life and property, it is evident that warmer ocean temperatures might lead to extreme hurricanes occurring outside traditional expectations. This alarming trend calls for urgent attention to climate change and its potential impacts on future weather events.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
