AccuWeather, a private forecaster in the United States, predicts an above-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2024, with a near-record number of storms and a higher-than-usual probability of direct impacts in sections of Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas, the company said.

This year’s hurricane season, which might be one of the most active in history, begins on June 1, but AccuWeather’s forecast suggests that the first named system could form even sooner.

It predicts 20-25 named storms in the Atlantic basin this year, including 8-12 hurricanes, four to seven of which are expected to be strong, and four to six direct U.S. impacts, all of which are higher than the 30-year historical norm.

AccuWeather lead hurricane forecaster Alex DaSilva said the Texas coast, Florida Panhandle, South Florida, and the Carolinas face a higher-than-average probability of direct hits this season.

“All residents and interests along the U.S. coast, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, should have a hurricane plan in place and always be fully prepared for a direct impact,” he said.

The 2023 hurricane season produced 19 named tropical storms, however only four of them had direct impacts on the United States. storm Idalia, a Category 3 storm, slammed Florida in late August, bringing howling winds, torrential rains, and pounding waves.

In a monthly forecast given earlier in March, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Centre (CPC) predicted a 62% possibility of a La Nina emerging between June and August, up from 55% the previous month.

El Nino, which is characterised by exceptionally warm sea surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, is still present but is expected to fade between April and June by 83%.

The speedier the transition to La Nina, a sister phenomenon that cools the Pacific Ocean, the more active the hurricane season will be, AccuWeather said.

(Adapted from Reuters.com)