The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially ended on November 30, 2024, saw 18 named storms (winds of 40 mph (64 km/h) or greater). Eleven of these became hurricanes (winds of 74 mph (119 km/h) or greater) and five intensified into major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph (179 km/h) or greater). Five hurricanes made landfall in the continental United States, including two major storms. Atlantic seasonal activity is within the range of named storms and hurricanes forecast published by NOAA's Climate Prediction Center in the August 2024 Hurricane Season Outlook https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42399-haiti-flash-noaa-predicts-a-hurricane-season-above-normal.html

12 named storms have formed since the season's climatological peak in early September. Seven Atlantic hurricanes have formed since September 25, the most on record for this period.

"The impactful and deadly 2024 hurricane season started off intensely, then relaxed a bit before roaring back," said Matthew Rosencrans, lead hurricane forecaster at the Climate Prediction Center, a division of NOAA’s National Weather Service. "Several possible factors contributed to the peak season lull in the Atlantic region. The particularly intense winds and rains over Western Africa created an environment that was less hospitable for storm development."

Hurricane Beryl was the first Category 5 hurricane on record in the Atlantic basin. It caused significant storm surge flooding in parts of Texas and Louisiana after making landfall near Matagorda, Texas, as a Category 1 hurricane.

Category 4 Hurricane Helene made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida on September 26 and caused catastrophic flooding in the southern Appalachians, wind damage from the Gulf Coast to the mountains of North Carolina, and storm surge flooding in parts of western Florida. Preliminary data indicate that Helene was the deadliest hurricane to hit the continental United States since Katrina in 2005, with more than 150 direct deaths, the majority in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Category 3 Hurricane Milton made landfall as a hurricane near Siesta Key, Florida on October 9, spawning 46 tornadoes and causing torrential rains and localized flooding with total rainfall of 14 to 15 inches (and counting). Milton’s rapid intensification rate was among the highest on record, with wind speeds increasing by 90 mph in 24 hours between October 6 and October 7.

In Haiti, despite a very active hurricane season, disaster risk management structures were activated during the passage of major hurricane Beryl off the southern coast of Haiti. The country has been spared, so far, by other weather events.

See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42399-haiti-flash-noaa-predicts-a-hurricane-season-above-normal.html

HL/ HaitiLibre