2024 Hurricane Season: Names & Predictions

The 2024 Hurricane Season is approaching and will apparently be "extremely active." According to a long-range forecast of the researchers at Colorado State University. We know they say that every year, but all it could take is 1 storm to cause serious damage.

CSU released its projections 58 days from the first day of the season. Changing climate patterns are expected to introduce a more favorable environment for tropical activity than in 2023. 

Using models based on decades of climate trends, CSU researchers predict the Atlantic basin will see 23 named storms. Eleven of them could be hurricanes. Five of the hurricanes will be Category 3, 4 or 5, also known as major hurricanes. The researchers projected a “ well above average ” opportunity for major hurricanes to make landfall across the continental United States and in the Caribbean. 

Additionally, CSU predicts that named storms will be present in the Atlantic for 115 days of the season. This includes 45 hurricane days and 15 main hurricane days. CSU states that the 2024 hurricane season is exhibiting similar characteristics as the 2020 season.  This was the most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, in terms of the number of systems.

Always remember Denis Phillips' rule #7. Don't freak out. Researchers urge everyone not to read too much into the initial forecast, as it is likely to change as we approach hurricane season. Last spring, CSU initially projected a below-average season and then updated the forecast to an above-average season.

The El Niño weather pattern is weakening, signaling a transition to a neutral pattern, and then La Niña. Despite an above-average hurricane season, most tropical systems remained offshore off the Atlantic coast last year.  

The weakening of the jet stream means less wind shear, creating a more favorable environment for storms to form this year. Higher ocean temperatures will help them intensify. Ocean temperatures are currently about 2-3 degrees above average in the Atlantic and 1-2 degrees above average in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Regardless of the long-range hurricane forecast, residents should prepare ahead of the 2024 hurricane season. Make an action plan with your family, gather essential supplies, and make sure your home is prepared for a potential storm.

Not all storms will affect your area, but it only takes one to damage your home or put your family's safety at risk. So prepare and alert before the 2024 Hurricane Season begins in two months.  You can check out some of our helpful tips here. Don't forget that we will report on all major storms with our media partner ABC Action News. In addition to helping our listeners and families throughout Tampa Bay. 

The six lists of names are used in rotation and are cycled every six years. The 2023 list will be used again in 2029. 

It'll be here before you know it. Hurricane season is upon us and if Ian and Helene  taught us anything, it's better to be safe than sorry. Even though Tampa was barely able to avoid the worst of Ian, we still remember people scrambling to get last-minute supplies. Some waited in lines for hours for supplies only to leave empty-handed. Don't let that be you this year! In the case of a major hurricane or even a tropical storm, you should have these 5 things before hurricane season starts.

Experts say it's super important to build a storm kit before any type of disaster. Each kit may look different based on an individual's needs. These are the universal 5 items you shouldn't forget! We found all of these items on Amazon. If you think ahead and order these items now, you should be able to build your storm kit before hurricane season even starts. Anybody can remember to stock up on the essentials (bottled water, food, and batteries) but do you have these useful items in your home in case of a big storm?

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has also listed hurricane safety tips and resources so you and your family can be prepared. When shopping for supplies, you should grab enough items like water, food, and batteries, to be able to last you for at least 1 week. It also seems pretty obvious that every Floridian should own a battery-operated or hand-crank radio. If you ever lose power, at least you can still be kept in the loop with your favorite radio station. And by now, everyone should have a backup portable phone charger.

Remember when everyone was scrambling all over Pinellas and Hillsborough counties looking for sand bags? Most pick-up locations were only allowing people to pick up 2-3 bags per person, which is probably not enough to surround your house/belongings.

If you order these empty sandbags on Amazon now, you should have them by next week. It will make your life a lot easier to just drive to your nearest beach or causeway and fill the bags up that way.

We all know how crappy it is to lose power in the middle of a hurricane. In some cases, you may not know when it will be restored. Amazon has this really cool battery powered camping lantern with a fan for only $20. Reviews say that 1 set of D batteries lasted them over 10 hours.

If you live in Florida and don't have a decent pair of rain boots, now is your time to get a pair. If the thought of gross storm water touching your skin freaks you out, you should grab a pair of these knee high waterproof boots.

It's better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it, right? Check out this mini water filtration system for just $22 on Amazon.

You don’t want to ruin important documents like social security, state issued ID and birth certificates, prescription medication, copies of insurance documents, to name a few. Bonus if you can convert other important documents to an USB flash drive! You'll want something big enough to hold all of your belongings, but compact enough to carry around in case you have to evacuate. Amazon has a great option, here.

This one may seem obvious, which is why we made it an honorary mention in case it does slip your mind. Remember how bored you were when you lost power from Ian? Some board games, deck of cards, or coloring books should help you pass the time, without killing your phone battery.