Tropical Storm Francine is expected to become a hurricane before reaching the U.S. Gulf Coast by midweek. The storm is currently in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecast to move offshore of the northern Gulf of Mexico through Tuesday and approach the Louisiana and upper Texas coastline on Wednesday. A hurricane watch is in effect for almost the entire Louisiana coast, with the storm expected to bring 4 to 12 inches of rain and trigger flash flooding in several states. Storm surge watches are also in effect for certain areas. So far in the 2024 Atlantic storm season, there have been five named storms, three of which became hurricanes.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year due to warm ocean temperatures, La Niña conditions in the Pacific, reduced trade winds, and less wind shear. August’s tropical cyclone activity was slightly below normal, with storms like Debby and Ernesto making landfall as hurricanes and tropical storms. The hurricane center has forecasted a range of 17 to 25 total named storms this season, with eight to 13 becoming hurricanes. The combination of factors such as warm ocean temperatures and weather conditions could lead to an active hurricane season in the Atlantic basin.
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