Hurrican season lull may not last - just look at last year

The Atlantic hurricane season has been quiet so far — but don't bet on it staying that way.

Why it matters

Hurricane Gabrielle, which became the second hurricane of the season last Sunday, snapped a 20-day streak without an active storm system, according to the Weather Channel.

"It's very unusual to have no systems develop between late August and mid-September," Fox Weather hurricane specialist Bryan Norcross tells Axios.

Stunning stat

This is the second time since 1950 that no named storms formed during peak hurricane season — between Aug. 29 and Sept. 15 — National Weather Service meteorologist Ernesto Rodríguez told the Associated Press.

Yes, but: Just last year, there was a "very similar lull in the middle of the season and then storms came roaring back," Norcross said.

"It's possible that something like that will happen again."

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend area on Sept. 27, 2024, as a Category 4 storm.

It was responsible for killing 248 people across several states, with 175 direct deaths, according to the National Hurricane Center.

There were a total of 34 deaths in Florida attributed to the storm, per the NHC.

A few weeks later, Hurricane Milton made landfall on Oct. 9 near Siesta Key as a Category 3 storm.

The NHC says Milton was directly responsible for the deaths of 12 people in Florida and three in Mexico. The storm caused a total of 27 indirect deaths in the U.S.

The bottom line: "We're right in the heart of the Florida hurricane season right now," Norcross says.

The season officially ends Nov. 30.

The latest: With Hurricane Gabrielle already out in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, meteorologists are tracking two other tropical disturbances — Tropical Storm Humberto and Invest 94L — one of which is projected to pass near Florida.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted 13 to 18 named storms this season, with five to nine of those becoming hurricanes, the AP reported.

1 tip to go: Norcross, the legendary Miami meteorologist, shared his most essential hurricane tip that he says most people don't know.

When you're expecting a hurricane to impact your area, fill a bunch of Ziploc bags three-fourths of the way with water and stuff as many as you can in your freezer.

It will extend the cold life of your fridge by a few days and give you water to drink when the ice melts.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends a minimum of 1 gallon of water per day for each member of your family.

Store at least a three-day supply of water for each person. Apart from his freezer tip, Norcross likes to buy a few jugs of water and fill up plastic containers with more.

"You don't have to have bottled water," Norcross says.

Source: Axios