The storms ravaging the coast of Florida have been the talk of the country since the beginning of the summer. The most memorable hurricane of 2024 has been Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 that hit Keaton Beach, Florida and was the most traumatic hurricane since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Others that hit the United States include Hurricane Beryl on July 8, Hurricane Debby on August 5, and Hurricane Milton on October 9. Despite many people believing this to be the end of the hurricane season, there are rumors that a new storm will eventually strike the West Coast in a matter of weeks.
Although the hurricane season technically ends on November 30, another hurricane is still likely to assemble in the midst of all other storms.
The Washington Post reports that “the season to date has been 29 percent more active than average.”
The United States alone attempted to withhold five Category 4 and Category 5 hurricanes, four of which hit Florida. There is no doubt another storm could affect the United States, but the damage still remains a question. AccuWeather meteorologist Grady Gilman highlights other areas that could be impacted besides the American coasts in the Naples Daily News.
“There are two scenarios for [hurricane] movement: one toward Central America and another near the Yucatan Peninsula. A more northern track would elevate the risk of impacts to the eastern Gulf Coast, likely in a November 6-11 time frame.”
As of now, the weather in the majority of Florida is mostly sunny with temperatures reaching the 80s. Although this may be better than the intense rain and hail Floridians have been experiencing over the course of the summer and fall months, it could eventually create more of a problem as the threat of another hurricane looms.
According to KXAN Austin, the last reported hurricane to strike the United States was Hurricane Oscar, a tropical storm that eventually developed into a Category 1 hurricane southeast of the Bahamas. It eventually dissipated on October 22.
Meteorologists and storm chasers have referred to the impending tropical catastrophe has been referred to as “Storm Patty.” It is not yet confirmed whether or not it will eventually become a hurricane or just remain a tropical storm; science reporter Jess Thomson from Newsweek distinguishes the difference.
“When a storm reaches a sustained wind speed of up to 38 mph, it is classified as a tropical depression. At 74 mph or more, a storm is classified as a hurricane.”
As rumors have been swirling regarding this potential hurricane, the National Hurricane Center discusses the conditions of the area and how it might affect the outcome of the storm.
“A broad area of low pressure located about 1,800 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula is producing limited showers and thunderstorms.”
Although little is known about this possible hurricane, it could be very disastrous. The damage and heartbreak the 2024 hurricanes have inflicted upon the lives of many individuals has surmounted what it was originally intended to. No one knows the inevitability of such a tragedy until it is there.
