Hurricane Season Concludes Next Week; Researchers Note Unusual Patterns

In an unusual hurricane season marked by three Category 5 storms, the U.S. experienced zero landfalls for the first time in a decade, leading atmospheric scientist Phil Klotzbach to describe it as a “screwball” year. Although fewer hurricanes formed than predicted, most intensified significantly, resulting in four major storms out of five. This season highlighted the unpredictability of hurricanes, especially in a warming climate, with accumulated cyclone energy still above average. Experts note that the warm ocean temperatures provided ample fuel for the storms.