The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is less than one month away, and the time to prepare is now. National Hurricane Preparedness Week began on May 5 and runs through May 11. 

Even if you are not in a storm’s path, there are ways to prepare in advance that will make it easier for you when the time comes. It’s important to know if you live in an evacuation zone, and if so, to develop an evacuation plan for you and your family.

You can assemble a hurricane kit, including items like non-perishable food for your family and pets, water, flashlights, a first aid kit and more.

Also, reviewing your insurance plans if you own a home and to sign up for flood insurance if it is a separate plan.

Here is a full breakdown of how to prepare you and your family and what you can do today.

Colorado State University released its outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season in April, and their researchers are forecasting above normal activity this season. It’s the most activity ever forecasted in a preseason outlook since CSU began issuing them in 1995.

This year’s forecast includes several factors, primarily record warm sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic. Warm water acts as fuel for tropical systems.

Global climate models and forecasters also suggest a transition to La Niña conditions by the peak of Atlantic hurricane season. According to CSU, “La Niña typically increases Atlantic hurricane activity through decreases in vertical wind shear.”

As always, it only takes one storm to make it a bad season. Here is a full breakdown of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season forecast.

The National Hurricane Center is introducing some fresh changes to the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season you can expect to see.

Two new names are on the list this year after Florence and Michael were retired after the 2018 season. The new names replacing them will be Francine and Milton. Here is what to know about the 2024 Atlantic hurricane names.

Along with the new names, the National Hurricane Center will experiment with some tweaks to the cone of uncertainty this season. Inland tropical watches and warnings will now be shown on an experimental map with the cone to better convey threats.

Here is a full breakdown of the changes you can expect to see this hurricane season.

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