UN Warns of Above Average Hurricane Season for North Atlantic in 2024

The United Nations World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has issued a forecast warning of an “above average” hurricane season in the North Atlantic for 2024, as reported by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This prediction marks a continuation of unusual hurricane activity for the ninth consecutive year. Typically, the region experiences 14 named storms annually, but projections for 2024 estimate between 17 to 25 storms. Of these, four to seven could escalate into major hurricanes, defined by wind speeds of at least 178 kilometres (111 miles) per hour, surpassing the average of three major hurricanes in a usual year.
Highlighting the potential impact of hurricanes, WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett referenced Hurricane Maria’s devastation in 2017, which resulted in costs amounting to 800 percent of Dominica’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The forecasted increase in hurricane activity from June 1 to November 30, 2024, is attributed to higher ocean temperatures and the expected onset of La Niña, a phenomenon that cools ocean waters, thereby fostering conditions conducive to storm formation. Barrett emphasized the need for heightened vigilance due to these factors, which are likely to contribute to an escalation in storm formation in the region.