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2024 Atlantic hurricane season

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was an extremely active and destructive Atlantic hurricane season that became the third-costliest on record, behind only 2017 and 2005. The season featured 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes; it was also the first since 2019 to feature multiple Category 5 hurricanes. Additionally, the season had the highest accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating since 2020, with a total value of 161.5 units. The season officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30. These dates, adopted by convention, have historically described the period in each year when most subtropical or tropical cyclogenesis occurs in the Atlantic Ocean.

Seasonal forecasts
In advance of, and during, each hurricane season, several forecasts of hurricane activity are issued by national meteorological services, scientific agencies, and noted hurricane experts. These include forecasters from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Climate Prediction Center, Tropical Storm Risk (TSR), the United Kingdom's Met Office (UKMO), and Colorado State University (CSU). The forecasts include weekly and monthly changes in significant factors that help determine the number of tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes within a particular year. According to NOAA and CSU, the average Atlantic hurricane season between 1991 and 2020 contained roughly 14 tropical storms, 7 hurricanes, 3 major hurricanes, and an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index of 72–111 units. Broadly speaking, ACE is a measure of the power of a tropical or subtropical storm multiplied by the length of time it existed. It is only calculated for full advisories on specific tropical and subtropical systems reaching or exceeding wind speeds of . NOAA typically categorizes a season as above-average, average, or below-average based on the cumulative ACE index, but the number of tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes within a hurricane season is sometimes also considered. Pre-season forecasts On December 11, 2023, TSR released its extended range forecast for the 2024 season, predicting an above-average season with 20 named storms, 9 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. They took into account ongoing warm sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) throughout most of the basin, specifically in the Main Development Region and in the Caribbean Sea on top of the 2023–2024 El Niño event which was predicted to weaken to a neutral phase by August 2024. CSU released its first forecast on April 4, calling for an extremely active hurricane season, with 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes and 5 major hurricanes, with an ACE index of 210 units, citing the extremely warm Atlantic SSTs and the development of a La Niña by the summer. On April 5, Météo-France (MFM) issued a prediction of 21 named storms and 11 hurricanes. They cited warm SSTs, wind patterns, and humidity. TSR updated their forecast on April 8, predicting 23 tropical storms, 11 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes, with an ACE index of 217 units. They predicted that moderate La Niña conditions would occur in the summer and persist into fall and above average SSTs would also persist into summer. The University of Arizona (UA) posted their forecast on the same day, calling for a very active season featuring 21 named storms, 11 hurricanes, 5 major hurricanes, and an ACE index of 156 units. On April 12, University of Missouri (MU) issued their prediction of 26 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes. North Carolina State University (NCSU) issued their prediction on April 16, with 15–20 named storms, 10–12 hurricanes, and 3–4 major hurricanes. On April 24, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) issued their prediction of a record-breaking season, predicting an unprecedented 33 (±6) named storms. They cited expected moderate La Niña conditions and record-warm SSTs in the tropical Atlantic tied to large-scale warming. On May 6, the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) issued their forecast of 20–23 tropical storms, 9–11 hurricanes, and 4–5 major hurricanes. On May 22, UKMO published their forecast for the 2024 season, calling for 22 named storms, 12 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes, and an ACE index of 212 units. One day later, NOAA published their hurricane season prediction, forecasting an above-average season of 17–25 named storms, 8–13 hurricanes, and 4–7 major hurricanes with an 85% chance of being an above-average season. TSR updated their predictions on May 30 with 24 tropical storms, 12 hurricanes, and 6 major hurricanes with an ACE of 226. Mid-season forecasts On June 11, CSU also updated its predictions, continuing to expect an extremely active season, with 23 tropical storms, 11 hurricanes, five major hurricanes, and an ACE of 210. On June 23, UA updated its prediction with 23 named storms, 10 hurricanes, five major hurricanes, and an ACE of 231. TSR updated its predictions on July 5 with 26 tropical storms, 13 hurricanes, and six major hurricanes with an ACE of 240. On July 9, CSU updated its predictions, anticipating an even more active season, with 25 tropical storms, 12 hurricanes, six major hurricanes, and an ACE of 230. On August 8, NOAA updated its prediction of the total number of named storms slightly, while still anticipating a highly active season. ==Seasonal summary==
Seasonal summary
Background (left), Kirk (top right), and Leslie (lower right) Officially, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and ended on November 30. In all, 18 tropical cyclones formed, and all of them became named storms. Of those, 11 storms intensified into hurricanes and 5 strengthened into major hurricanes. Three hurricanes made landfall in Florida during the season – only the sixth such occurrence since records began, after 1871, 1886, 1964, 2004, and 2005. Overall, five hurricanes struck the continental United States, tied with 1893, 2004, and 2005 for the second-most. This season's ACE index, as calculated officially by the National Hurricane Center (NHC), was approximately 161.5 units, the highest value recorded since 2020. This number represents the sum of the squares of the maximum sustained wind speed (knots) for all named storms while they are at least tropical storm intensity, divided by 10,000. Overall, the cyclones of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season collectively caused about 442 fatalities and at least $131 billion in damage, making it the third-costliest on record, behind only 2017 and 2005. Though the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, it had its slowest start since 2014. This was due to a large stationary heat dome over Central America and Mexico, as tropical cyclogenesis in June often occurs over the Gulf of Mexico and northern Caribbean Sea. Despite the unseasonably warm temperatures in the North Atlantic, the equatorial Atlantic cooled rapidly into an "Atlantic Niña" due to upwelling caused by shifts in the trade winds and the Atlantic zonal mode. The effects of an Atlantic Niña is not certain but it is contrary to the assumptions that the NOAA used in their forecast of seasonal activity. CSU associated the quietness of the Atlantic during the month of August and the period after Ernesto dissipated–despite predictions of an extremely active peak period–to tropical waves forming too far north, warm upper-level winds causing destabilization, wind shear in the East Atlantic, and factors associated with the Madden–Julian oscillation. Throughout the season, NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft conducted flights totaling 392 hours, which included passing through the eye of a cyclone about 80 times and deploying over 1,246 scientific instruments. Among the technology used, NOAA deployed 91 Skyfora StreamSondes and 17 Black Swift Technologies S0 uncrewed aircraft systems to study and research "hard-to-reach areas of the storms." Over 100 gliders recorded ocean conditions, including sea surface temperatures. Additionally, the National Ocean Service, a division of NOAA, surveyed almost of coastline impacted by hurricanes Debby, Francine, Helene, and Milton, capturing over 26,000 images in the process. Early activity The season's first named storm, Tropical Storm Alberto, formed in the western Gulf of Mexico on June 19, then proceeded to make landfall on the northeastern coast of Mexico the following day. Activity resumed at the start of August, with Hurricane Debby developing in the Gulf of Mexico on August 3, before making landfall in Florida as a Category 1 hurricane two days later. It then slowed down over land afterwards and dropped heavy rain and caused widespread flooding in the Southeastern United States. Hurricane Francine formed on September 9. Milton was also the strongest tropical cyclone worldwide in 2024. Later in the month, two tropical cyclones formed on October 19. Tropical Storm Nadine formed early in the day near the coast of Belize, where it made landfall a few hours later, while Hurricane Oscar formed near Turks and Caicos, becoming the smallest hurricane on record in the Atlantic basin. On November 2, Tropical Storm Patty developed from a non-tropical gale low just northeast of the Azores. Then, in mid-November, the final storm of the season, Tropical Storm Sara formed over the western Caribbean before striking the Yucatán and dissipating on November 18, just under two weeks before the official end of the season. The season also broke or nearly broke records for activity from late September and beyond, including seven hurricanes after September 25 – the most ever known in the basin – and tying 2005 for named storms after September 23, with 11. The season also had the second-highest number of major hurricanes (4) after September 25 and second-highest ACE value (approximately 100 units) from September 24 onward, behind 2005 and 1878, respectively. == Systems ==
Systems
Tropical Storm Alberto A Central American gyre (CAG) resulted in the formation of convection over the Gulf of Tehuantepec on June 15. As the convective activity progressed northward over southeastern Mexico and exited into the Bay of Campeche, an area of low pressure gradually developed on June 17 about northwest of Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico. The system gradually became better organized, though it still remained rather broad, developing into Tropical Storm Alberto by 12:00 UTC on June 19. Under the influence of light vertical wind shear and warm waters, Alberto intensified up to landfall, attaining peak winds of and a minimum central pressure of by the morning of June 20. Alberto moved ashore at 09:00 UTC that day near Tampico, Mexico, and rapidly weakened over land, dissipating just nine hours later. The storm brought heavy rainfall to the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas in northeast Mexico. Alberto resulted in five deaths in Mexico, all in Nuevo León, including one in Monterrey due to river flooding, one in El Carmen, and two in Allende (the latter three were indirect electrocution deaths). Aon estimated that US$140 million in damage occurred in Mexico. Alberto's large wind field produced tropical storm-force winds along the coastline of Texas. damaging piers, roads, and sand dunes, as well as causing several high-water rescues. One person drowned at Galveston due to rip currents generated by the storm. Alberto brought significant rainfall to the Galveston area, leading to freshwater flooding. Additionally, an EF1 tornado touched down near Bellville, causing some property damage, and two EF0 tornadoes occurred near Rockport. Damage from Alberto in Texas is estimated to be at US$125 million. Additionally, several roads became impassable in Hancock County, Mississippi, due to storm surge. Hurricane Beryl A tropical wave developed into a tropical depression at 12:00 UTC on June 28 about east of Barbados. A strong subtropical ridge caused the depression to move generally west-northwestward through an unusually favorable environment for the time of year with warm sea surface temperatures (SST) and minimal wind shear, resulting in rapid intensification. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Beryl by 00:00 UTC on June 29 and then into a hurricane about 24 hours thereafter. Beryl intensified into a Category 3 major hurricane around 12:00 UTC on June 30 and a Category 4 hurricane six hours later. An eyewall replacement cycle then weakened Beryl to a Category 3 hurricane early on July 1, but it regained Category 4 strength six hours later once the cycle was completed. At 15:10 UTC the same day, Beryl made landfall in Carriacou, Grenada, with winds of 140 mph (220 km/h). After entering the Caribbean, the hurricane further intensified into a Category 5 hurricane early on July 2 and soon peaked with winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and a minimum pressure of , recorded by a dropsonde. In the United States, the state of Texas experienced severe flooding and wind damage, while about 2.7 million people lost electricity. Chris generated heavy rains in the states of Chiapas, Hidalgo, Morelos, San Luis Potosí, and Veracruz, causing flooding, overflowing rivers, and mudslides. Consequently, local authorities in Veracruz closed schools in 41 municipalities and opened 9 temporary shelters, which housed 86 people. Hurricane Debby A tropical wave that exited the west coast of Africa between July 25 and July 26 developed into a tropical depression early on August 3 over the Caribbean near Cuba, about west of Santa Cruz del Sur, Camagüey Province. Striking Ciénaga de Zapata in Matanzas Province several hours later, the system strengthened into Tropical Storm Debby that day after emerging into the Straits of Florida near Havana. Moving northwestward and then northward due to a western Atlantic subtropical ridge, Debby strengthened into a hurricane early on August 5. Around 11:00 UTC, the cyclone struck near Steinhatchee, Florida, with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of . Debby quickly weakened to a tropical storm and turned northeastward. Upon reaching the Atlantic early on August 7, Debby transitioned into a subtropical storm. After meandering slowly southeastward and then northwestward, the system struck Bulls Bay, South Carolina, with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h). Late on August 8, Debby became extratropical while merging with a front over North Carolina. The remnant low crossed the Eastern United States and parts of Atlantic Canada before being absorbed over the Gulf of St. Lawrence by another frontal system associated with a new area of low pressure. Debby and its precursor produced heavy rains across the Caribbean, especially Cuba and Puerto Rico. As the storm moved slowly around Florida, precipitation peaked around near Sarasota. Flooding occurred across the state's west coast and north-central interior, including more than 1,000 structures suffering damage in Sarasota County and another 160 receiving major impacts in Manatee County. Winds in north-central Florida downed many trees, some of which struck cars and homes. Parts of some states as far north as Vermont reported flooding and isolated wind damage, with a peak total of of precipitation near Moncks Corner, South Carolina. Approximately 520,000 customers lost electricity in North Carolina alone. Overall, 18 fatalities and about $4.25 billion in damage occurred throughout the United States and Canada. Several main roads on the island of Guadeloupe were closed due to the storm. More than 45,000 customers lost power in the Virgin Islands as a result of hurricane-force wind gusts, including all of Saint Croix and Saint Thomas. Wind gusts on the island of Culebra reached 86 mph (138 km/h), where downed trees blocked roads and roofs were blown off. Large swells and rip currents generated by Ernesto along the East Coast of the United States caused three deaths, Waves also swept away one home on Hatteras Island in the latter. Swells predicted to reach in New York City led Mayor Eric Adams to order all beaches in Brooklyn and Queens to close. According to Aon, total damages were estimated to be at $520 million. In Ireland, the remnants of Ernesto, combined with a supermoon event, led to flooding on roads and wharfs along waterways in Galway. Hurricane Francine Between August 25 and August 26, a tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa. After crossing the Atlantic and Caribbean for more than a week, deep convection began increasing on September 5 as the wave moved over the Yucatán Peninsula. Emerging into the Bay of Campeche on September 7, the wave interacted with a frontal system and non-tropical low, leading to the formation of a separate low, which developed into Tropical Storm Francine on September 9 about northeast of Tampico, Tamaulipas. Higher wind gusts in the system were enhanced by a barrier jet near the Sierra Madre Oriental. Francine initially moved northwestward due to a mid-level ridge over Florida but turned northeastward on September 10 as a short-wave trough crossed the Southeastern United States. The storm strengthened into a hurricane early on September 11. Significant intensification ensued despite increasing wind shear, with Francine peaking as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of as it struck Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, at 22:00 UTC. Rapid weakening then commenced, and at 06:00 UTC on September 12, Francine weakened into a tropical storm and then a tropical depression at 12:00 UTC, six hours before becoming extratropical over Mississippi. The extratropical low dissipated over Arkansas on September 14. Heavy precipitation fell in northeastern Mexico, causing flooding in Matamoros area neighborhoods. South Texas reported heavy rainfall, leaving the roads to SpaceX Starbase impassable and flooding parts of the facility itself. Approximately 500,000 people lost electricity in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama combined, with Francine downing numerous power lines and trees in those three states, blocking many roads. In Louisiana, flooding, high winds, and falling trees damaged hundreds of structures in Jefferson and St. Charles parishes. Being in a favorable environment for development, showers and thunderstorms quickly began showing signs of organization in the disturbance, with a tropical depression developing around 12:00 UTC on September 11 approximately west of the islands. Further intensification occurred slowly, with the depression not becoming Tropical Storm Gordon until about 48 hours later. Early on September 14, Gordon peaked with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum pressure of . Gordon weakened back to a tropical depression late on September 15 and dissipated on September 17 about east of the Leeward Islands. Hurricane Helene A CAG developed on September 20 over Central America and gradually organized, acquiring more deep convection over the next few days while traversing an environment conducive for development. By 12:00 UTC on September 24, the disturbance became Tropical Storm Helene roughly south of Cape San Antonio, Cuba. Continuously favorable conditions allowed the storm to intensify into a hurricane about 24 hours later as it moved northwestward and passed just offshore the Yucatán Peninsula. Helene then accelerated northeastward across the Gulf of Mexico due to a ridge and a deep-layer cut-off low-pressure area situated over the Tennessee Valley while expanding significantly and reaching major hurricane status late on September 26. At 03:10 UTC on the following day, Helene peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of as it struck Florida just east of the mouth of the Aucilla River, based on data from a Texas Tech StickNet observation site located about halfway between the landfall point and Perry. Thus, the cyclone became the most intense to make landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida since reliable records began. Helene quickly weakened as it moved quickly inland before degenerating into a post-tropical cyclone over Kentucky while merging with a cut-off low on September 27. The system then stalled over the state before dissipating on September 29. Storm surge in Florida caused significant damage from the Tampa Bay area northward. Hillsborough and Pinellas counties combined reported the destruction of at least 419 residences, major damage to at least 18,512 structures, and minor to moderate damage to 13,909 others. Several counties in or near the Big Bend suffered extensive wind impacts. Heavy crop and timber losses occurred over southern Georgia, totaling about $5.5 billion. Tens of thousands of homes and buildings suffered wind damage as far north as the Augusta area, while floodwaters entered at least 200 structures and a number of vehicles in the Atlanta area. At least 106 fatalities occurred in North Carolina, far more than any other state. making it the second-deadliest hurricane to strike the continental United States in fifty years, after Katrina in 2005, and the deadliest overall since Maria in 2017, as well as being the seventh costliest hurricane in the United States. Operationally, the NHC began issuing advisories early on September 26, naming the storm Isaac. While moving generally eastward, the storm steadily became better organized and became a Category 1 hurricane on September 27. As it turned toward the northeast, Isaac continued to strengthen into the next day, intensifying to a Category 2 hurricane. It later reached its peak intensity, with maximum sustained winds of and a minimum barometric pressure of . weakening back to a tropical storm late on September 29. Isaac then began extratropical transition, which it completed early on September 30 approximately north-northwest of the Azores. Another extratropical system absorbed moisture from Isaac, which brought heavy rain to the Iberian Peninsula. Tropical Storm Joyce On September 22, a tropical wave moved off the coast of West Africa. After passing through the Cabo Verde Islands on September 24, thunderstorm activity increased as the wave moved to the west-northwest. The low became condensed and deepened, forming into a tropical depression at 06:00 UTC on September 27 about east of the Leeward Islands. Joyce reached its peak intensity at 18:00 UTC with winds of and a minimum pressure of . By September 28, Joyce began to weaken as southerly wind shear displaced convection away from its center, weakening to a tropical depression the next day. Joyce degenerated into a remnant low by September 30. Hurricane Kirk On September 25, a tropical wave crossed the west coast of Africa and entered the Atlantic. After the wave passed through the Cabo Verde Islands on September 27, its associated convection began to organize. By late on September 29, a well-defined circulation formed, indicating that Tropical Depression Twelve developed about west of the islands. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Kirk around 06:00 UTC the next day, nine hours before satellite imagery indicated a partial eyewall. Favorable environmental conditions allowed Kirk to intensify into a hurricane by late on October 1 while it moved west-northwestward. Kirk underwent rapid intensification over the following two days, and at 00:00 UTC on October 4, the storm peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of . falling to Category 3 status at 06:00 UTC on October 5. The storm then weakened below major hurricane intensity about 24 hours later and then to a Category 1 late on October 6 while heading northeastward. Kirk became extratropical about west-northwest of the Azores on October 7, but the remnants crossed western Europe before dissipating over western Germany on October 10. Numerous downed trees were reported in Portugal and Spain. The hardest hit city was Porto, where numerous cars suffered damage and train services were disrupted. At the height of the storm, more than 300,000 households lost power. Strong winds from Kirk severely affected Portugal's apple and chestnut crops. In Spain, 2.76 in (70.1 mm) of rain fell in 12 hours, and gusts up to 80 mph (130 km/h) and 127 mph (205 km/h) were reported. Mudslides were reported in Galicia, prompting road closures. Agricultural losses in Spain are estimated to be at €69 million (US$71.9 million). In France, over 64,000 people lost power, and many roads were closed due to floodwaters. A strong swell capsized three boats in Sète, killing one person and injuring another. Aon estimated that the extratropical remnants of Kirk caused about US$110 million in damage. Hurricane Leslie A tropical wave moved off the west coast of Africa and into the Atlantic on September 28, initially with limited shower activity. On October 1, a well-defined low formed, although it had disorganized convection. Because deep convection organized closer to the center on the following day, Tropical Depression Thirteen developed at 06:00 UTC approximately south-southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands. Later on October 2, the system strengthened, becoming Tropical Storm Leslie, On October 5, Leslie intensified into a Category 1 hurricane and reached sustained winds as high as 90 mph (150 km/h) on the next day, before weakening back to a tropical storm on October 8. becoming a Category 2 hurricane early on October 10, peaking with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of . At 00:00 UTC the next day, The storm then turned northeastward and accelerated in advance of an approaching trough before being absorbed by the aforementioned trough on October 12 about east of Bermuda. The trough and subsequent extratropical low that absorbed Leslie's remnant moisture brought significant flooding to France and Italy. Hurricane Milton In mid-September, two African tropical waves and a low-level trough merged over the eastern Atlantic. Although disorganized upon reaching the Lesser Antilles on September 26, the wave began interacting with a CAG over the western Caribbean on September 29. This led to the formation of a low-level trough with two centers over the Gulf of Mexico. One center persisted, resulting in the development of Tropical Depression Fourteen about east of Tampico, Tamaulipas, at 12:00 UTC on October 5. Strengthening into Tropical Storm Milton within six hours, the cyclone moved slowly eastward to east-southeastward over the next few days along the southern periphery of the mid-latitude westerlies. Milton underwent explosive intensification due to very warm waters and low-to-moderate wind shear, becoming a hurricane around 18:00 UTC on October 6 and then a major hurricane within 18 hours thereafter. At 20:00 UTC on October 7, the system peaked as a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 180 mph (285 km/h) and a minimum pressure of . Flooding occurred in Campeche and Celestún, with the latter being evacuated as result. Three people died in Mexico, all due to drowning. In Florida, 126 tornado warnings were issued on October 10, the second-most posted in a single day in one state, behind only April 27, 2011, in Alabama during a super outbreak. At least 45 tornadoes touched down, causing approximately $681.8 million in damage, while an EF-3 twister in St. Lucie County killed 6 people. Significant storm surge impacted Southwest Florida, generally ranging from above ground. Venice reported the highest sustained winds and gusts in Florida, reaching and , respectively. Heavy rains also fell, especially in a swath from Tampa Bay to the Daytona Beach area, with a peak total of near St. Petersburg. Among the structures damaged were the Tampa Bay Times building and Tropicana Field. Overall, Milton killed 39 people, and the NCEI estimated that damage in the United States totaled about $34.3 billion, almost entirely in Florida, although damage assessments were complicated due to Helene impacting some of the same areas only about two weeks earlier. Tropical Storm Nadine On October 15, a broad area of low pressure formed in the southwestern Caribbean Sea east of Central America. The disturbance moved slowly northwestward over the following couple of days, remaining offshore. Then, on October 17 and 18, the low gradually became better defined, and the showers and thunderstorms associated with it became better organized. Consequently, the system was designated Potential Tropical Cyclone Fifteen on the afternoon of October 18. The system quickly developed a closed circulation and intensified into Tropical Storm Nadine early the next day while about east of Belize City. The storm made landfall near Belize City around 16:00 UTC on October 19, at peak intensity, with sustained winds and a minimum pressure of . Eight hours later, the storm weakened to a tropical depression while over northern Guatemala. Then, early on October 20, the system degenerated into a remnant low while traversing Southern Mexico. Nadine's remnants ultimately entered the Pacific basin, where they facilitated the development of a trough of low pressure in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, which led to the formation of Hurricane Kristy on October 21. In Quintana Roo, about of rain was recorded, and several houses were flooded in Chetumal. Floods, power outages, and uprooted trees were also reported in Campeche, with strong waves stranding about 300 coastal vessels. In Quintana Roo, Mex$11 million (US$546,000) was spent to repair the damage caused by the storm. In Chiapas, the storm damaged more than 1,200 homes. A landslide also blocked a section of Federal Highway 190. Heavy rains also damaged 15 houses and caused flooding and landslides in Tacotalpa, Tabasco. There were four deaths in Chiapas as a result of the storm: two when a landslide hit a house in the municipality of Tila and two due to drowning after being swept away by flood waters. Damage in Chiapas reached approximately Mex$2 billion (US$101 million). In Veracruz, damage totaled to Mex$2.82 billion (US$153 million). Hurricane Oscar On October 10, a tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa. After remaining disorganized for several days due to dry air and moderate wind shear, a circulation began developing as the system passed north of the Lesser Antilles, and early on October 19, Tropical Storm Oscar formed approximately north of Puerto Rico. In addition to very warm seas and light to moderate wind shear, the cyclone's small size allowed for quick intensification, with Oscar reaching hurricane status by 18:00 UTC. Hurricane-force winds extended less than from the center. Late on October 19, Oscar struck Grand Turk Island with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h). The system then turned southwestward due to low- to mid-level ridge over the eastern United States and passed near Inagua in the Bahamas on October 20, shortly before Oscar's barometric pressure fell to . At 22:00 UTC, Oscar made landfall in Baracoa, located in the Cuban province of Guantánamo. Oscar quickly weakened to a tropical storm early on October 21 and slowed considerably due to collapsing steering currents, but re-emerged into the Atlantic several hours later. Late on October 22, Oscar degenerated into a trough over the central Bahamas, before soon being absorbed by a non-tropical low. In the Bahamas, residents of Inagua had to evacuate after their homes were damaged. Approximately 15,000 structures suffered damage, mostly in Guantánamo and Holguín provinces, with more than 1,000 of those experiencing a partial roof collapse. The hurricane also caused millions of people to lose electricity and damaged roughly of roads, including 5 bridges. Heavy crop losses occurred over eastern Cuba. At least eight people died in the country. Aon estimated that the cyclone caused about US$50 million in damage. Additionally, Oscar's remnants produced abnormally high tides in the Northeastern United States. Tropical Storm Patty On October 31, a storm-force non-tropical low located about west of the western Azores began producing showers and thunderstorms near its center. It moved to the northeast for around a day, losing its frontal characteristics and upper-level support, weakening in the process. On November 1, despite SSTs around , convection and bands formed around the center due to an unstable environment. The storm had attained hybrid characteristics of a subtropical storm. Upon formation, Patty had winds of . Patty continued eastward and organized further, attaining a peak strength of 65 mph (100 km/h) at 12:00 UTC on November 2. The storm then began moving east-southeast and weakening in the mid-latitude flow. On November 3, Patty's forward speed slowed. It also developed fully into a tropical cyclone that day while passing between São Miguel and Santa Maria islands in the Azores. Patty continued to weaken and opened into a trough by 12:00 UTC on November 4. Hurricane Rafael On October 26, the NHC began monitoring the southwestern Caribbean in anticipation of tropical development. Convection increased markedly in early November in association with a CAG. However, the presence of a well-defined circulation could not be confirmed until November 4, when Tropical Depression Eighteen formed at 12:00 UTC roughly southwest of Kingston, Jamaica. The depression continued to strengthen and became Tropical Storm Rafael six hours later. The storm tracked northwestward along the southwestern side of a ridge over the western Atlantic on November 5 and passed to the west of Jamaica. That afternoon it developed an inner wind core and strengthened into a hurricane early on November 6. Later that day, at 21:15 UTC, Rafael made landfall just east of Playa Majana, in the Cuban province of Artemisa, with winds of . A few hours later, the system entered the Gulf of Mexico as a weaker Category 2 hurricane. It then proceeded to turn west-northwestward and re-intensify, becoming a major hurricane once again early on November 8 with peak winds of and a minimum pressure of . That afternoon, however, the system turned westward and began losing strength and organization due to increasing westerly wind shear and dry air intrusion. This trend continued, and Rafael was downgraded to a tropical storm early on November 9. Rafael's remaining convection collapsed on November 10, and it degenerated into a remnant low about southwest of Port Fourchon, Louisiana, before opening up into a trough on the next day. In its formative stages, Rafael produced heavy rainfall across several areas of Central America and Colombia. Numerous residents in Panama had to evacuate their homes after their houses were damaged, leaving a total of more than 210 displaced. Five people died as a result of the flooding in that country; one death was also reported in Colombia. There were two direct storm fatalities in Jamaica. Agricultural losses in Costa Rica totaled to at least ₡500 million (US$985,000). In Colombia, over 192,000 people were affected by the flooding. Aon estimated that the cyclone caused losses of at least US$150 million in Colombia. In western Cuba, of rain was reported, resulting in flooding and landslides. Government officials reported that areas in and around Artemisa sustained the worst damage from Rafael, with more than 3,000 homes damaged in Artemisa and Mayabeque provinces. In total, eight fatalities and at least $1.35 billion in damage can be attributed to Rafael, Tropical Storm Sara On November 11, a large area of low pressure merged with a tropical wave south of Hispaniola over the central Caribbean Sea. The system moved generally westward and gradually organized over the next few days. Then, early on November 14, the system developed into Tropical Depression Nineteen about east of the Honduras-Nicaragua border. Later that day, an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft found maximum sustained winds of around , indicating that the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Sara. The cyclone then made landfall in Honduras near Punta Patuca early on November 15 but soon re-emerged into the Caribbean and strengthened further, peaking with winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) and a minimum pressure of around 12:00 UTC. Sara then drifted generally west-northwestward, making landfall in Belize near Dangriga around 14:00 UTC on November 17. The cyclone weakened to a tropical depression about four hours later and dissipated early on November 18 over Campeche. After emerging into the Bay of Campeche, the remnants merged with a frontal system moving across the Southeastern United States within a few days. The precursor disturbance of Sara caused flooding in the Dominican Republic, resulting in the evacuation of 1,767 people, isolating 54 communities, destroying 2 homes, and damaging 487 more. Two fishermen were left missing and were later found dead near Sabana de la Mar. Another person died in Haiti, where Sara's precursor damaged 3,554 dwellings in the Sud Department alone. Flooding caused structural impacts to homes and buildings in Belize, especially the central and western parts of the country, with damage totaling $7.23 million. An extratropical low with gale-force winds developed offshore early on September 15. Schools were closed in preparation for the storm. At 12:00 UTC on September 16, the system reached a peak of 60 mph (95 km/h) and just offshore South Carolina. After failing to attain tropical characteristics while approaching northeastern South Carolina the following afternoon, sustained winds fell below tropical storm-force early the next day, and the system soon dissipated. In Sunny Point, North Carolina, winds gusted to . Two tornadoes touched down during the storm. Several coastal roads, such as NC 12, were flooded with high tide. One person died after attempting to drive through floodwaters, while over 100 people required rescuing. More than 100 homes were damaged. According to Aon, total losses are estimated to be at $130 million as of January 2025, while the NHC noted other damage estimates ranging from $50–100 million. == Storm names ==
Storm names
The following list of names was used for named storms that formed in the North Atlantic in 2024. This is the same list used in the 2018 season, with the exceptions of Francine and Milton, which replaced Florence and Michael respectively. Both new names were used for the first (and only, in the case of Milton) time this season, as was Sara, which replaced Sandy after 2012, but went unused in 2018. == Season effects ==
Season effects
This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their name, duration, peak classification and intensities, areas affected, damage, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 2024 USD. == See also ==
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