The 2024 hurricane season has been unexpected so far, with more storms forming in the Pacific than the Atlantic. The Atlantic has been particularly calm approaching the busiest time of the season, with no named storms since August 20. This break in activity is unusual, with the last time no named storms formed during this period being in 1997. Meteorologists attribute this to cool ocean temperatures near Africa hindering storm development.
While some factors favor storm formation, others are preventing storms from developing in the Atlantic. Despite preseason forecasts predicting a very active season in the Atlantic, only five named storms have formed, compared to nine in the Pacific. However, experts believe it is too early to give up on the season, as the latest model runs suggest a potential increase in Atlantic activity.
As the Atlantic heats up, the Pacific may see a decrease in storm formation. Following the current systems, the Pacific is expected to quiet down, with little indication of more storms forming. Overall, the unexpected nature of the 2024 hurricane season suggests that forecasting can still be unpredictable, and it is important to remain vigilant as the season progresses.
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