Forecasters at NOAA's Climate Prediction Center are the latest to call for an above-normal hurricane season in 2024.
The first outlook for the season, released Thursday, calls for 17-25 named storms, with eight to 13 becoming hurricanes, and four to seven reaching major hurricane strength of category 3 or higher.
Near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, development of La Nina conditions in the Pacific Ocean, reduced Atlantic trade winds and less wind shear are all cited as reasons for the active forecast.
The potential for an active season was also highlighted in the initial forecast from Colorado State University.
Colorado State Researchers Predict "Extremely Active" 2024 Hurricane Season
The hurricane season begins June 1, though forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are already watching an area of potential development.
"A large area of cloudiness and showers over the southwestern Atlantic is associated with a surface trough," said the NHC. "An area of low pressure is expected to form within this system a few hundred miles north of Hispaniola in the next day or so. Environmental conditions are not expected to be conducive, however, some slight tropical or subtropical development is possible while the low moves northeastward through the weekend."
The first name on the 2024 list is Alberto.