Experts Issue Updated Forecast for Atlantic Hurricane Season

It’s not even halftime.

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is still predicting an active Atlantic Basic hurricane season. The season runs through November 30. Traditionally, it gets more severe and more active in late summer and early fall.

Katrina slammed the southeastern United States almost 20 years ago and Ian devastated southwest Florida just two years ago. Katrina hit in late August, and Ian in late September. Ernesto is scheduled to be the next named storm.

Debby was downgraded to a tropical storm from a Category 1 but not before it brought heavy rains, high winds and flooding to the eastern seaboard.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center updated its outlook for the remainder of 2024. There was little to no change from its previous predictions almost two months ago. In May, it forecasted four to seven storms of Category 3 or higher and that has not changed. And that, of course, means the potential for travel disruption.

There might be no time to rest from Debby.

The National Hurricane Center is already tracking a disturbance that appears to be headed toward the Caribbean later this week. It is estimated to have a 60 percent chance of development.