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‘Extremely active’ hurricane season could impact US supply chain

12 April 2024 By Sarah Neish

Meteorologists are predicting higher-than-average hurricane activity this year, which could have a domino effect on the US supply chain.

Last year, El Niño kept most tropical storms over large bodies of water, but meteorologists are concerned that might not be the case this year.

The predictions for 2024 are that more hurricanes and storms will fall over land mass and therefore move more slowly, lasting longer inland. Winds are expected to be five times higher than usual, with rainfall increased by 45%.

Weather experts are warning of possible significant delays for any goods that need to be moved through storm-stricken areas during hurricane season, which runs from June to November in the Atlantic Basin, with most activity occurring between mid-August and mid-September.

Extremely active season

Researchers at Colorado State University have predicted an “extremely active” 2024 hurricane season caused by warm ocean surface temperatures. On 4 April they announced that at least 23 named storms were expected to strike, including five major hurricanes with winds above 178 km per hour.

“We anticipate a well-above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean,” said a spokesperson from Colorado State University.

Alaska, Florida and California have the most coastline in the continental US, meaning these states could be particularly at risk of storm damage and supply chain delays.

However, AI tech is enabling such weather activity to be anticipated with increased accuracy up to seven days in advance, offering a window for businesses to arrange alternative transportation or a possible re-routing of goods.

It is recommended that businesses monitor the weather forecast closely and put processes in place to move their operations outside of vulnerable areas.

The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season was the fourth-most active Atlantic hurricane season on record with 20 named storms forming.

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