This Year’s Hurricane Season Forecast Was Just Released

As the summer travel season kicks off, government officials have released their expectations for this year’s hurricane season.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center’s 2024 forecast, the 2024 hurricane season will be “above-normal” in the Atlantic basin region. 

The agency predicts that there will be an 85 percent chance of above-normal activity, which could mean a range of 17-25 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes, and 4-7 major hurricanes.

“With another active hurricane season approaching, NOAA’s commitment to keeping every American informed with life-saving information is unwavering,” NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D said in a release.

For travelers who are planning trips to Florida or the Caribbean, where hurricanes can be most prevalent — airlines will regularly post operational status and travel waivers on their “Alerts” page of their website, as United Airlines does here. These pages will provide guidance on flight interruptions, and whether the airline is canceling & refunding tickets. 

Ahead of the storm season, the agency also released the 2024 names for the storms which include: Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Francine, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Milton, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sara, Tony, Valerie, and William. 

The NOAA report comes as millions of Americans have faced several weeks of severe weather, including heavy flooding in Texas, and Tornados in Iowa. 

“Already, we are seeing storms move across the country that can bring additional hazards like tornadoes, flooding and hail. Taking a proactive approach to our increasingly challenging climate landscape today can make a difference in how people can recover tomorrow,” FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks shared in a statement.