The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, with meteorologists issuing their first below-average forecast in more than a decade for the upcoming storm period.

Forecasters expect the 2024 hurricane season to be slower than usual, representing a significant shift from recent years that have seen more active or above-normal hurricane activity. The last time meteorologists predicted a below-average season was over ten years ago.

As the season commences, weather services are deploying new technology designed to collect critical hurricane data. These technological advances are expected to improve forecasting accuracy and provide better information for tracking storm development and intensity.

The hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with peak activity typically occurring between August and October. Weather monitoring agencies will continue to track atmospheric conditions throughout the Atlantic basin during this period.

Despite the below-average forecast, meteorologists emphasize that coastal residents should remain prepared, as it only takes one storm making landfall to cause significant damage regardless of overall seasonal activity levels.