AccuWeather meteorologists are warning that the calm after Hurricane Ernesto won’t last long. With the end of August on the horizon, they’re forecasting a stormy September, projecting 6 to 10 named storms through September 30th—well in line with the historic average but packing a punch this year.
Why It Matters: What’s causing this tropical tempest? Record-high water temperatures in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico, combined with reduced wind shear and clearing Saharan dust, are creating perfect conditions for storm development. It’s the meteorological equivalent of adding fuel to a fire.
In Context: “We could see a parade of storms,” says AccuWeather’s Lead Hurricane Expert, Alex DaSilva, likening the potential frequency to the hyperactive 2020 hurricane season. With September 10th marking the statistical peak of hurricane activity, the Atlantic basin is poised for a busy month.
The Inland Threat: It’s not just coastal areas that should be on alert. As DaSilva points out, recent hurricanes like Debby have shown that storms can wreak havoc far inland, causing billions in damage through flash flooding and tornadoes. With saturated ground in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast from previous downpours, any new storms could lead to rapid and dangerous flooding.
What’s Next: AccuWeather warns that the hurricane season could drag on well into November, depending on how weather patterns evolve. With La Niña potentially making a late appearance, there could be a few more surprises in store as we head into the final months of 2024.
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Thom Chandler
The Georgia Sun is a news and infotainment website devoted to all things Georgia.
