PENNSYLVANIA – Enjoy the pleasant weather while it lasts, because the latest forecasts say Pennsylvania could be in for an active and stormy September as hurricane season reaches its peak.
Back in May, NOAA predicted a hurricane season with more activity than usual. And from the end of August and into September, meteorologists could expect several severe storms over the Mid-Atlantic.
AccuWeather meteorologists called it a “Supercharged September,” with between six and 10 tropical systems predicted. This is comparable to the record-breaking 2020 hurricane season, which saw 10 September storms.
“I think it could potentially get very active here very quickly once the dry air goes away,” said Alex DaSilva, senior hurricane expert at AccuWeather. “We could see a parade of storms.”
There have been five named storms so far this season. A typical hurricane season has 14 named storms, seven of which become hurricanes and three of which become major hurricanes in the Atlantic basin, according to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center.
“All residents and stakeholders along the U.S. coast should have a hurricane plan and always be prepared for direct impacts,” DaSilva added. “There is a possibility that we could experience multiple tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic basin on the same day.”
Meteorologists expect between 17 and 24 named storms (with winds of 39 mph or more), and between eight and 13 of those could become hurricanes (winds of 75 mph or more). Four to seven of those could be major hurricanes (winds of 110 mph or more).
“Hurricane season started early and hard with Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 Atlantic hurricane on record,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D.
The climatological peak of hurricane season is approaching, falling on September 10. And although the Keystone State is not directly on the coast, emergency management officials are warning residents to prepare for heavy rains, strong wind gusts, flooding, hail and tornadoes inland.
Warm waters, however, mean storms could continue into the fall. October could also be stormy, and November could see one to three more storms, according to AccuWeather.
“Hurricane Beryl broke several long-standing records in the Atlantic basin, and we continue to see the climatological hallmarks of an active season,” said Matthew Rosencrans, lead hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “Sea surface temperatures remain unusually high and La Niña is still expected to occur during hurricane season, so now is the time to prepare.”
The next five storm names are Francine, Gordon, Helene, Isaac and Joyce.
