(CNN) — Forecasters are bracing for an abnormally active Atlantic hurricane season in 2024, with as many as 25 named storms forming from now through November. This season has already produced Hurricane Beryl, which emerged in July as the earliest category 5 storm on record.
Several factors contributed to the above-normal forecast, including record-warm ocean temperatures and a burgeoning La Niña.
This page, which is updated each day, will track how active it becomes.
A condition driving the active forecast is warmer than typical ocean temperatures in much of the Atlantic. Warm water helps storms form and intensify.
This map displays data collected by satellites that shows how much different those temperatures are from normal, with darker shades representing either warmer or cooler surface temperature differences, according to NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch program.
The number of tropical storms, hurricanes and major hurricanes fluctuates each year, depending on the conditions. While this season has just begun, a look at the past shows how many storms can occur during the most active years.
The forecast for the Atlantic hurricane season from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts up to 25 named storms, including as many as 13 classified as hurricanes and potentially seven classified as major hurricanes — those with winds exceeding 111 miles per hour.
The forecast offers a range in the number of storms. All three classifications are expected to exceed the historical average, highlighting how this season could be quite active compared to the past.
The-CNN-Wire
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