Cone of Uncertainty: What It Actually Means

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While overall hurricane numbers may seem slightly down so far this season, many more notable statistics are up.

So far, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has been more about where the storms have tracked, rather than the number of storms.

The 2024 hurricane season has brought nine named storms so far as of Thursday. According to climatology, 10 named storms usually form by Sept. 22, bringing this season slightly behind schedule as far as numbers go.

Of the nine named storms that have formed this hurricane season, a whopping seven have impacted land, and that number could climb in the coming days as Isaac could impact the Azores. Gordon was the only storm that hasn't affected land directly so far.

Helene's Florida landfall will mark the fourth hurricane to strike the U.S. Gulf Coast this season: Beryl, Debby, Francine and now Helene.

There have only been five other hurricane seasons on record to have four U.S. Gulf Coast landfalls, according to Phil Klotzbach, meteorologist at Colorado State University. The most hurricanes to make a Gulf Coast landfall in a single season was six in 1886.

(Further beef up your forecast with our detailed, hour-by-hour breakdown for the next 8 days – only available on our Premium Pro experience.)

H​urricane Season Isn't Over

There’s still a little more than two months left to go in hurricane season and the tropics are clearly heating up. Colorado State University's most recent forecast for this hurricane season calls for 23 named storms, 12 hurricanes and six major hurricanes.

Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30; this year is a reminder that a “busy season” is not determined by the number of storms, but rather where the storms strike.