Amidst predictions of a turbulent year for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season in the tropics, forecasters expect 23 named storms with 11 as possible hurricanes in 2024. Photo: Internet Source

Director of Disaster Management in the Virgin Islands (VI) Jasen H. Penn said that while conditions and expectations can change as the season develops, this forecast should prompt residents to prepare early for the possibility of seasonal storms. Photo: GIS/File

Early data show that this year's hurricane season could approach a record-setting pace that may exhaust the entire list of names for tropical storms and hurricanes.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season will run from June 1 to November 30, 2024. 

The data comes in part from Meteorologists from Colorado State University, who added that conditions are so "favourable" for hurricanes this year. The scientists cautioned that while it was "impossible" to precisely predict activity in April, the long-range forecast is designed to help raise awareness of the potential danger. 

'Well above average' chance of storm hitting C'bean 

The chances of major hurricanes making landfall in the Caribbean are "well above average", the US-based team warned.

The stats also echoed similar data provided by AccuWeather, which forecasted an explosive season with signs that the first named system could churn before the season starts as the calendar flips to June, a precursor of what's to come.

"The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is forecasted to feature well above the historical average number of tropical storms, hurricanes, major hurricanes and direct US impacts," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Forecaster, Alex DaSilva said.

AccuWeather said its data also came from two factors: forecasters sounding the early warning of a potentially super-charged season, which is the La Niña, and historically warm Atlantic waters.

Director of Disaster Management in the Virgin Islands (VI) Jasen H. Penn said that while conditions and expectations can change as the season develops, this forecast should prompt residents to prepare early for the possibility of seasonal storms.

“The reality is that regardless of the forecast, it remains important for persons to take steps to prepare, because just one storm coming to our area can be devastating,” Mr Penn said.