Colorado State University (CSU) has increased its forecast for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, predicting more named storms and hurricanes than their initial predictions.
The revised forecast anticipates 14 named storms, up from the original prediction of 12. Seven are expected to become hurricanes, an increase from the initial forecast of 6, and three could potentially intensify into major hurricanes.
The university’s Department of Atmospheric Science attributes the revised forecast to the unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic and Caribbean, coupled with the absence of strong vertical wind shear that usually helps to suppress hurricane development.
Read: Florida Residents Prepare As NOAA Predicts Above-Normal 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season
These factors create a more favorable environment for storm formation and intensification.
The updated forecast aligns with the heightened activity observed so far in the 2024 hurricane season. This includes Hurricane Beryl, which intensified rapidly into a Category 5 hurricane before making landfall, and the earlier formation of several named storms.
The CSU forecast is a valuable resource for emergency management officials, meteorologists, and the public, helping them to prepare for the potential impacts of the hurricane season.
The university will continue to monitor the conditions in the Atlantic basin and update its forecast as needed.
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