Canada set to see above-normal hurricane season: ‘Be prepared’

Canadians and Americans along the Atlantic coast are being urged to prepare now as forecasters are predicting an above-normal hurricane season.

canada set to see above-normal hurricane season: ‘be prepared’

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in its 2024 forecast Thursday said there is an 85 per cent chance of an above-normal season, with 17-25 named storms — when a storm reaches at least 62 kilometres-per-hour sustained winds, eight to 13 hurricanes and four to seven reaching major status.

“Of note, the forecast for named storms and hurricanes and major hurricanes is the highest NOAA has ever issued for the May outlook,” NOAA administrator Rick Spinrad told reporters Thursday. “This season is looking to be an extraordinary one in a number of ways.”

There are several contributing factors, including rising ocean temperatures and the expectation of La Nina coming into action.

La Niña refers to the cooling of surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, which leads to greater precipitation and winds. NOAA expects it to take effect in August through to the end of the hurricane season in October.

Hurricanes and tropical storms need fuel and with ocean temperatures higher than normal and earlier than usual it means a greater chance those storms can develop, according to NOAA.

canada set to see above-normal hurricane season: ‘be prepared’
1:57 Hurricanes becoming so strong, study proposes Category 6 for the worst

According to NOAA lead hurricane seasonal outlook forecaster Matt Rosencrans, the temperatures in the main area where hurricanes develop has been as high as it normally would be in mid-August, about one to two degrees celsius above normal.

The email you need for the day's top news stories from Canada and around the world.

However, La Nina is also likely to further development of storms as it can often reduce high-altitude winds — often referred to as wind shear — which can diminish hurricane strength.

The peak hurricane season is typically mid-August to mid-October, with the official season beginning June 1.

The Canadian Hurricane Centre is also making preparations for an active season, with warning preparedness meteorologist Bob Robichaud noting Atlantic Canada typically sees about 35 per cent of the tropical storms enter the region.

“We know there’s probably going to be a lot and there are probably going to be some really intense storms. The question is where are they going to go, and we have to wait till they actually develop to get a good handle on that,” Robichaud said during a press conference Thursday.

Officials say though the forecast may seem concerning, they want people to take away one important word from it: prepare.

U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deputy administrator Erik Hooks said this can include determining if people have medication that needs refrigeration, medical devices requiring electricity, mobility issues that could make getting around more difficult in an emergency, and having a plan in place when disaster strikes.

canada set to see above-normal hurricane season: ‘be prepared’
1:51 El Niño may be over — what weather could Canadians see in the coming months?

Robichaud echoed Hooks’ comments, while noting someone along the coast may have different risks compared to living inland.

He said once you know your risks you can plan potential solutions if you’re without power or dealing with blocked roads. He added being self-sustainable for up to 72 hours with an emergency kit that includes nonperishable foods and other tools is also wise.

“Those are the sort of things you have to start with, knowing what your risks are and then walking them or working through those risks to try and mitigate those risks whatever they might be,” he said.

Robichaud cautioned, though, storms can come with multiple hazards, adding it is important people keep an eye on the track of the storm as it may help indicate where coastal flooding could occur.

More on Canada

But he said it’s not just weather hazards people should be careful of.

In response to a Global News question during the Thursday press conference about how Canadians can prepare, Robichaud reminded Canadians to have power generators situated outdoors a distance from your home and in a well-ventilated area, noting the sometimes-fatal consequences that can occur from improper use of the devices.

National Weather Service director Ken Graham stressed another reason why officials are encouraging preparation now, before even the first storm has formed, is because of the speed in which they can strengthen.

“In the last 100 years, every single one of these big storms, Category 5s, were a tropical storm the three days prior and several didn’t even exist three days prior,” Graham said.

“They don’t care about a timeline, preparedness is absolutely everything.”

OTHER NEWS

21 minutes ago

Video: Nigel Farage makes thinly veiled swipe after being booed by crowd as he wins best news presenter at the TRIC Awards

22 minutes ago

Newly sworn-in ANC MP Zizi Kodwa: State’s case against me is ‘nonexistent’

22 minutes ago

John 5 Responds to Accusations of Guitar Miming With Motley Crue

22 minutes ago

Despite political uncertainty, Cape Town's office rental market thrives

22 minutes ago

Labor’s renewables-only approach ‘can’t’ stabilise Australia’s energy grid

22 minutes ago

Medihelp reports strong growth, more younger members join

22 minutes ago

Never (really) too young to have a will

22 minutes ago

Exciting call for nominations for the 2024 AWIEF Awards

22 minutes ago

Blockchain vs Crypto

22 minutes ago

Texas A&M beats Florida 6-0 to make CWS finals for 1st time as Gators shut out 1st time in 2 years

22 minutes ago

Generative AI sent to the dock in RIAA ‘BBL Drizzy’ legal action

22 minutes ago

The Matric mandate: a barrier to employment for South African youth

22 minutes ago

One of 2024's biggest new anime series will be shown in cinemas – one month before its Netflix and Crunchyroll release

22 minutes ago

Money Show host Bruce Whitfield to leave Primedia

22 minutes ago

Great Wolf Lodge water park in Webster will open earlier than expected, according to website

22 minutes ago

Employers' role in health and wellness to promote employee well-being, by Medshield

22 minutes ago

How environmental toxins and pollution affect our health, by Medshield

22 minutes ago

LA broadcast TV legend Tom Van Amburg — who gave Regis Philbin his daytime start — dead at 83

22 minutes ago

Video: Shocking moment thugs armed with Rambo knives fight in the middle of the day on residential London street

22 minutes ago

Everything you need to know about changes coming July 1

22 minutes ago

Coalition slams Prime Minister for not expelling rogue Labor Senator Fatima Payman

22 minutes ago

Former Fremantle Dockers and Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale and wife Julie Neale announce baby news

22 minutes ago

Toronto's Zach Edey eyes top 20 pick as Raptors continue rebuild in NBA draft

22 minutes ago

Aston Martin Valiant: A Hardcore Track Star With a Manual

22 minutes ago

Wes Streeting says Labour's rail nationalisation plan would bring down fares

22 minutes ago

Anthony Joshua set to land chance to become a three-time heavyweight champion against Daniel Dubois on September 21... as Oleksandr Usyk VACATES his IBF belt after taking rematch with Tyson Fury

22 minutes ago

Kevin Rudd joins Julian Assange as he arrives for court appearance

22 minutes ago

Now Nigel Farage suggests Zelensky should make peace with Putin

22 minutes ago

Multi-talented Kea Zawadi first female presenter of Algoa FM Top 30

22 minutes ago

5 free agents Kaizer Chiefs could bring to Naturena to bolster their squad

26 minutes ago

ESPN analyst ranks Patriots defense as top-five unit in NFL

26 minutes ago

Daybreak Foods, YES Programme partner to combat youth unemployment

26 minutes ago

CNBC Daily Open: Nvidia rallies after sell-off, lifts S&P 500 and Nasdaq

31 minutes ago

Gavin Newsom blasts 'delusional California bashers' in speech

31 minutes ago

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is Teasing Answers to a Big Qunari Mystery

31 minutes ago

Fed's Bowman Says 'Not Yet' Appropriate to Cut Rates

31 minutes ago

Why Dunkin' Donuts' New Commercial Actress Looks So Familiar

31 minutes ago

Costly election pledges in France stoke fears of splurges that risk pushing country deeper into debt

31 minutes ago

Mark Cuban offloads 14 NFTs from his collection in two days

31 minutes ago

Rashee Rice on maturity: 'This is a step in a better direction for me'