Latest Hurricane News

Five Things To Know This Hurricane Season

At a Glance

The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1.
Tropical waves are already forming.
El Niño is expected to shift toward La Niña, which usually enhances storms.
Ocean water is much warmer than usual in the area where stronger hurricanes typically form.

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The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1, and it's forecast to be one of the most active seasons on record. Here’s five things to know as we kick off what is likely going to be a hyperactive season.

A historic forecast has been issued: NOAA’s recent May hurricane outlook had the highest numbers forecast by NOAA for any May outlook. They anticipate up to 25 named storms, 13 hurricanes and 7 major hurricanes. NOAA also predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal season.

The hurricane outlook issued by The Weather Company and Atmospheric G2 is also the busiest in their history with 25 named storms, 12 hurricanes and 6 major hurricanes forecast.

Tropical waves are already forming: A few disturbance areas already have been noted for possible development by the National Hurricane Center, prior to the official start of hurricane season.

Though nothing of significance has formed from these tropical waves, they are typically the building blocks for Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms. About one in five tropical waves ends up becoming a tropical cyclone in the Atlantic Basin, and about 60 tropical waves track across the Atlantic each year.

Tropical waves form off the west coast of Africa and are pushed toward North America by an upper-level high pressure system called the Bermuda High.

(MORE: Tropical Waves Explained)

Atlantic ocean waters are much warmer than normal: Warm Atlantic waters are typical in a La Niña event. However, La Niña hasn’t even started yet and the Atlantic is experiencing record heat.

Parts of the main development region - the area where most tropical cyclones form, extending from the Caribbean to west Africa - already reached their average peak ocean water temperature in May. It is usually mid to late summer before these areas reach their peak average temperature.

As long as other factors are favorable, the deeper and warmer ocean water is, the more powerful a hurricane can become.

(This map shows the current ocean heat content, or the areas with deep, warm water. )

La Nina is still expected to form by later in the season: There is now a 49% chance of development from June-August, but the chances go up as we get deeper into hurricane season. From August-October, the chance of La Niña increases to 77%.

The anticipation of the transition to La Niña is part of the reason why the outlooks are forecasting a more active season than normal. La Niña Atlantic hurricane seasons are more active on average. This is because there is typically less wind shear, which rips storms apart.

The 2024 Atlantic season's list of names: When a tropical storm does form, the first name on this year's list is Alberto. The full list of all 21 names is shown below.

If all names through William are used, then a supplemental names list will be used - starting with Adria.

(MORE: The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Name List)