NORFOLK, Va. — May 1st marks the one-month countdown until the start of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
But, as we all know, Mother Nature does not obey the calendar. There have been several occurrences of named tropical storms developing in May before the official start of the season.
In fact, in seven of the last 10 years, there has been tropical development in May.
Most develop and stay way out in the basin, far away from land and cause no issue but 3 May storms did impact the United States.
Alberto moved onshore along the Florida Panhandle, Bonnie impacted South Carolina, and Ana in 2015 moved through North Carolina and Virginia, tracking right over Hampton Roads!
96 percent of tropical systems form within the 6-month hurricane season, June 1 through November 30 but 4 percent do not. In fact, in 2016, the same year we had Bonnie form in May we saw Alex develop in January, that storm became a hurricane!
Even though it's rare, it does happen if the conditions are just right.
Will May 2024 bring about an early start to hurricane season? Time will tell!