Busy hurricane season eyed

The projected path of Hurricane Idalia is shown on a screen with FDOT camera views of I-75 in the Special Operations Center at Marion County Fire Rescue Operations in Ocala on Aug. 29, 2023. Researchers are predicting a busy hurricane season this year. [File photo by Bruce Ackerman]

Colorado State University researchers on June 11 kept in place a forecast for another above-average hurricane season.

Pointing to generally warmer-than-normal water temperatures across the eastern and central Atlantic Ocean, the forecasters’ models predicted 17 named storms, with nine reaching hurricane status and four becoming major storms.

“We anticipate an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean,” the forecasters said.

The numbers were unchanged from an April 3 forecast and in line with other predictions for the six-month season, which started June 1.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters have predicted 14 to 21 named storms with sustained winds 39 mph or higher, of which six to 10 storms would reach hurricane strength with winds topping 74 mph. Of the hurricanes, three to six are forecast to be major systems with winds of 111 mph or higher.

The 2024 season produced 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes. Three hurricanes made landfall in Florida.