Beryl was the earliest-forming Category 5 hurricane in Atlantic history. It shattered records usually reserved for the peak season in September.
The 2024 season will be remembered as a year of extremes. It validated climate scientists' warnings regarding intensification rates and sea surface temperatures, while defying early seasonal forecasts regarding the sheer number of storms. While it was not the "busiest" season on record, it was devastatingly impactful, featuring hurricanes that rewrote the history books for specific regions.
Storms are categorized by their sustained wind speeds using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. A system begins as a tropical depression, then becomes a tropical storm once winds reach 39 mph, at which point it receives a name from a predetermined list curated by the World Meteorological Organization. Once winds hit 74 mph, the system is classified as a hurricane. Categories 3, 4, and 5 are considered "major hurricanes," capable of causing devastating to catastrophic damage. atlantic hurricane season
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In recent years, the Atlantic hurricane season has been influenced by broader climate trends. Warmer sea surface temperatures and rising sea levels are contributing to storms that intensify more rapidly and carry more moisture. Additionally, global climate patterns like El Niño and La Niña play a major role in seasonal forecasts. Generally, La Niña years result in higher Atlantic activity due to reduced wind shear, while El Niño years tend to suppress storm formation. Beryl was the earliest-forming Category 5 hurricane in
The Atlantic hurricane season is a reminder of the power of the natural world. By understanding the science behind these storms and maintaining a state of readiness, communities can better navigate the challenges posed by these massive weather systems each year.
The formation of a hurricane requires a specific recipe of environmental conditions. First, ocean waters must be warm—at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.5 degrees Celsius)—to provide the thermal energy needed to fuel the storm. Second, the atmosphere must be moist and unstable. Third, there must be low vertical wind shear; high wind shear can "rip" a developing storm apart before it can organize. Most Atlantic hurricanes begin as "African Easterly Waves," which are clusters of thunderstorms that move off the west coast of Africa and travel across the "Main Development Region" toward the Americas. A system begins as a tropical depression, then
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Understand the for this year's activity level (El Niño vs. La Niña) Where should we start your prep ?
This season saw a notable lack of US landfalls early on, with storms frequently tracking through the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, battering islands like Jamaica, the Caymans, and Grenada (especially Hurricane Beryl). The US Gulf Coast eventually took the brunt of the late-season activity.