Colorado State University’s (CSU) Tropical Weather and Climate researchers, long known for their annual hurricane forecasts, are calling for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season to be “extremely active.” Above-average warm waters in the eastern and central Atlantic – “fuel” for a hurricane – as well as expected La Niña conditions later this summer/fall, which decrease vertical wind shear, contribute to the potential for increased storm formation this season.
While past storm forecasts averaged just 14.4 named storms and 7.2 hurricanes per season (1991-2020), CSU researchers predict 23 named storms this season, which begins Saturday, June 1, with 11 expected to reach hurricane strength (winds of 74 mph or greater). That could mean more boaters on the coast may find themselves unexpectedly in the “cone,” or predicted path of a hurricane, and needing to make preparations to protect their boat to lessen the chance for damage or loss.
