Hurricane Milton has made history as the fifth named hurricane to strike the United States in 2024, showcasing an unusually active hurricane season. As cleanup efforts begin in Florida and Georgia, meteorologists are closely monitoring the Atlantic for further developments.
Despite the season nearing its end, with six weeks left until November 30, experts warn that tropical storm activity can still occur. Currently, the National Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on two areas: Hurricane Leslie, located approximately 1,700 miles from the Azores and producing winds of 90 mph, and a low-pressure system off the west coast of Africa, which has a less than 20% chance of developing into a named storm.
This year has already seen 13 named storms, with nine escalating into hurricanes, including notable Category 5 storms like Milton and Beryl. Experts had predicted an above-normal hurricane season for 2024, anticipating 17 to 25 named storms, with a significant number reaching hurricane status.
The implications of such an active season highlight the increasing intensity and frequency of hurricanes, raising concerns for coastal communities.