Meteorologist firm AccuWeather warns of busy hurricane season

HOUSTON (ICIS)–This year’s hurricane could be especially active because of the La Nina weather phenomenon and warm waters in the Atlantic Ocean, the meteorology firm AccuWeather said on Tuesday.

The hurricane season in the Atlantic basin starts on 1 June and runs through 30 November.

Hurricanes threaten the petrochemical industry in the US and Mexico because many plants are on the coast in the Gulf of Mexico.

Plants shut down in preparation of storms. Strong winds can knock down power lines and heavy rains can flood roads.

In addition, storms disrupt oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico.

Last year, the hurricane season was mild because the weather phenomenon known as El Nino discouraged the formation of storms.

In 2024, El Nino should transition into La Nina during the second half of the hurricane season, AccuWeather said. La Nina encourages the formation of storms.

Another factor that could contribute to a busy hurricane season is the unusually warm waters in the Atlantic Ocean, Accuweather said. Already, water temperatures cross the Atlantic are at levels that are typical of mid-July.

“Any storms that do form will have the potential to rapidly strengthen, even close to land, due to the exceptionally warm waters,” said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter.