After a fairly uneventful hurricane season last year, researchers are predicting the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season could be one of the most active on record.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting 17 to 25 named storms this year. Of those, they have projected that 8 to 13 would become hurricanes, including 4 to 7 major hurricanes. Major hurricanes are classified as Category 3 and above, with winds above 111 miles per hour.

According to NOAA, the average hurricane season is 14 named storms, including seven hurricanes, three of which are major hurricanes.

There are two key reasons for the active outlook:

Warm Sea Temperatures. Atlantic temperatures have been record-warm for the last year, and that’s not expected to change as we enter into the summer months. Some parts of the ocean were as hot in April as is typically experienced in July. Since a hurricane’s main fuel is warm ocean water, these conditions are expected to lead to an above-average hurricane season.

La Niña. Current El Niño conditions are expected to transition to La Niña conditions by the peak of hurricane season. La Niña conditions are characterized by less wind sheer and unstable air, both of which are building blocks for hurricane and tropical storm development.

Don’t Blow Off Hurricane Preparations

Colorado State University researchers are predicting a 62 percent chance a major hurricane makes landfall along the U.S. Coastline, with a 42 percent chance a major hurricane makes landfall along the Gulf Coast.

While these predictions are not an exact measure of what we can expect this Hurricane Season, it’s important to remember that it only takes one storm to make hurricane season active for us.

Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30. While there’s no guarantee about exactly how many storms develop or where they make landfall, it never hurts to be prepared. Get started with these tips:

• Download the FEMA App to get real-time alerts about severe weather.

• Review evacuation routes for your area and plan a path that works best for your family. Always follow the advice of local authorities, including evacuation orders.

• Make copies of your important documents. Keep them in a waterproof bag or on a flash drive that’s easy to grab if you need to leave in a hurry.

• Create a communications list with important contacts. Make a contact card that can be kept in a wallet, backpack or purse in case your cell phone becomes lost or damaged.