2024 Atlantic hurricane season sees record storms despite mid-season lull

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has concluded with 18 named storms, surpassing the average of 14. Notably, 11 storms reached hurricane strength, and five became major hurricanes, despite a quiet mid-season period. Hurricane Beryl, which formed in July, was the earliest recorded category five hurricane, causing significant damage in the Caribbean and southern Texas. Following Beryl, storm activity slowed until Hurricane Helene emerged in late September, resulting in over 150 deaths across the southeastern U.S. The season's high sea surface temperatures, about 1°C above average, contributed to the storms' intensity. Climate change has been linked to increased wind speeds and rainfall in hurricanes, making them more dangerous despite the overall frequency of storms remaining stable.