Image Satellite Hurricane Idalia 0501Pmedt 082923 Noaa Hero Hurricane Season — Hurricanes Idalia and Frederick churn in the Atlantic circa 2023. (NOAA)

Every year, climate scientists with the National Weather Service (NWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) work tirelessly to study weather patterns, ocean temperatures and known weather phenomena to come up with a prediction for hurricane season.

For the second year in a row, scientists are predicting “above-normal” hurricane activity this year. We’ll break down the NOAA report and what you can do to be prepared.

Hurricane Season 2024

Image Hurricane Outlook May 2024 English Pie 052324 Noaa Hurricane Season — Pie chart shows predictions for the 2024 hurricane season. (NOAA)

Hurricane season starts in just eight days, running from June 1 until November 30 each year. This year, storm forecasters in the Climate Prediction Center say there’s an 85% chance we’ll have an above-average hurricane season.

More specifically, they’re predicting:

17-25 Named storms, 39-73 mph winds
8-13 Hurricanes, 74-111 mph winds
4-7 Major hurricanes, 111+ mph winds

Scientists are saying the La Niña wind patterns are teaming up with warmer water temperatures in the Gulf and Atlantic are the driving factors behind this year’s above-average forecast.

Here’s a look at the hurricane names for the 2024 season:

Image Hurricane Outlook May 2024 English Names 052324 Noaa Hurricane Season — A look at this year’s storm names. (NOAA)

How to be prepared

Feff1A07 2403 4C07 9F6F 94F8862Fc749 Hurricane Season — “File:Bluff Route, State Route 48, En Route to Congaree National Park, South Carolina (Thank Goodness It’s a Hurricane Evacuation Route) (5810734572).jpg” by Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

“Severe weather and emergencies can happen at any moment, which is why individuals and communities need to be prepared today.”
Erik A. Hooks, FEMA Deputy Administrator

Preparation is the key during hurricane season. It only takes one storm to drastically change an entire community.

NOAA has quite a few tips for that, including:

Keeping a 3-day supply of clean drinking water and non-perishable foods in your home
Have at least 2 ways to get weather alerts without power (weather radios, portable chargers for phones, etc.)
Know your evacuation route + never let you gas tank dip below 1/4 full during hurricane season
Get a water + fire-proof box to store all important documents for yourself, your children + your pets
Have an evacuation plan that includes your pets
Take the full hurricane preparedness quiz here

The most important thing to know in a hurricane is when to evacuate and when to hunker down. Storms can change routes and intensity at any moment. That’s why it’s crucial to listen to the experts at NOAA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency + the NWS when a storm is approaching.

We want you prepared for hurricane season! What should be in our hurricane preparation guide? Let us know on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn!