### Record-Breaking 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Closes

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season concludes this Saturday, capping off a tumultuous period that witnessed an unusual surge in hurricane activity. This year saw the formation of 11 hurricanes, significantly higher than the average of seven, and the accompanying loss of life and damage extended far beyond the initial landfall points along the U.S. Gulf Coast. Meteorologists have described the season as "crazy busy," largely due to exceptionally warm ocean temperatures.

During this season, eight hurricanes made landfall, impacting the U.S., Bermuda, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Grenada. A notable milestone was achieved by Hurricane Beryl, which became the first Category 4 hurricane on record to form in June, devastating the island of Carriacou in Grenada. In Jamaica, Hurricane Beryl impacted crops and homes severely, resulting in two fatalities. Brian McNoldy, a hurricane researcher from the University of Miami, remarked on the rarity of such an event, the last comparable incident being Hurricane Dean in 2007. Beryl escalated further to become the earliest recorded Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic by July 1, breaking historical norms as major hurricanes—Categories 3 and above—typically don't form until September.

September ushered in Hurricane Helene, which caused extensive destruction in the southeastern United States, marking it as the deadliest storm to strike the U.S. since Katrina in 2005, with a death toll surpassing 200. North Carolina alone reported at least $48.8 billion in damages affecting residences, water systems, and agricultural sectors. Other states including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia also endured significant damage.

October saw Hurricane Milton rapidly intensify, achieving peak wind speeds of 180 mph, positioning it among the most powerful hurricanes recorded in the Gulf of Mexico by wind speed, second only to Hurricane Rita in 2005. The affected regions experienced an accumulation of rainfall three times higher than average for September and October, leading to unprecedented record-setting wet periods for cities such as Asheville, Tampa, and Orlando.

In November, Hurricane Rafael reached wind speeds of 120 mph, nearly setting a record for the strongest November hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, a feat previously tied by Hurricane Kate in 1985. Rafael's landfall in Cuba exacerbated recovery efforts from the widespread blackouts caused by Hurricane Oscar in October.

The increased incidence and intensity of these hurricanes have been linked to the rapid warming of oceans, driven by planet-warming gases like carbon dioxide and methane from transportation and industrial activities. McNoldy points out that unusually warm ocean temperatures facilitate the formation and intensification of hurricanes in unexpected locations and times. "In other words, we never had a storm as strong as Beryl so early in the season anywhere in the Atlantic and we never had a storm as strong as Milton so late in the season in the Gulf of Mexico," McNoldy noted.

As this record-setting season draws to a close, the impacts and unusual patterns observed are likely to prompt further research and discussions on the link between climate change and hurricane activity.