The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is set to be above average as Hurricane Kirk and Hurricane Leslie both strengthened in the Atlantic in early October.
Hurricane Kirk set a new record as the farthest eastward storm in the tropical Atlantic to reach Category 4 intensity on the 5-level Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale so late in the season. Kirk is expected to strengthen further into a super typhoon, according to the NHC’s latest hurricane forecast on Oct. 4.
With wind gusts of up to 130 mph, Hurricane Kirk could cause life-threatening surf and rip currents this weekend along the US East Coast as well as in Bermuda, the Greater Antilles and the Bahamas.
Shortly after Kirk formed, Tropical Storm Leslie followed. The 12th named tropical storm, it formed late on October 3 and strengthened into a major hurricane on October 4. This made Leslie the farthest east of a storm to form at this time of year, breaking Kirk’s record.
Hurricane Kirk and Hurricane Leslie demonstrated favorable conditions that allowed hurricanes to develop farther east than normal for this time of year. Above average water levels and wind shear were favorable for hurricane development.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is getting underway earlier than expected. The average date for the 12th named storm is October 11. Leslie, the 12th named storm, formed on October 3, putting the 2024 season in the “above average” category.
At the start of the season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an above-average hurricane season. It is forecasting 17-25 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes, and 4-7 major hurricanes.
So far, the 2024 hurricane season has seen 12 named storms, 7 typhoons, and 3 major hurricanes. The season will continue through November 30.
