Hurricane season officially ends on November 30, and as the final weeks of hurricane season approach, this year has proven to be one of the most devastating for storms.
In May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted that the 2024 hurricane season would be above normal, with 8 to 13 hurricanes expected, of which 4 to 7 are expected to be major storms. Eleven hurricanes have been recorded, and NOAA's predictions have proven to be accurate. So far, we have seen our 17th named storm, Hurricane Rafael.
Typically, a hurricane season averages about six hurricanes, but this year's activity has far exceeded that number, with more storms likely in the final weeks of hurricane season.
Experts attribute this active hurricane season to several key environmental factors, including weakening winds, warmer ocean temperatures, and La Niña, which cools surface waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific. La Niña also contributes to more frequent and intense storms.
While the loss of life and destruction caused by hurricanes is always tragic, the economic damage caused by this year's storms is also staggering. As of November 1, experts estimate total losses from this year's hurricane season could range from $127 billion to $129 billion, according to USA Today.
However, Hurricane Helene is expected to cause a significant portion of these losses. According to AccuWeather, the damage from Hurricane Helene alone could range from $225 billion to $250 billion.
Damage from hurricanes can vary widely depending on their size, intensity, and area of impact. On average, a hurricane causes approximately $23 billion in damage. However, 2017 remained the costliest year for weather events, with hurricanes like Harvey, Irma and Maria causing more than $300 billion in damage.
One of the most significant developments of this hurricane season was the early arrival of Hurricane Beryl, which became the earliest Category 5 storm ever recorded in the Atlantic hurricane season.
Research in the Journal of Scientific Record found that Atlantic hurricanes from 2001 to 2020 were twice as likely to rapidly intensify into Category 3 or higher storms within 24 hours than in previous decades (1971 to 1990). This change is associated with rising sea surface temperatures, which provide more energy to hurricanes and contribute to their rapid intensification.
In addition to its early intensity, Hurricane Beryl also caused significant economic damage. AccuWeather estimates Beryl's economic losses at $28 billion to $32 billion.
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