Increased Chance of Hurricanes for Maine in 2024

Weather experts at Colorado State University have upped their predictions of hurricanes for the 2024 season. I know what you're thinking. Colorado ... for hurricanes? Really?

But yes, they do predict weather for their neighbors thousands of miles away on the Atlantic Coast. Their annual average for the past 30 years of named, tropical storms is roughly 14. This year, however, CSU has increased their predictions of named storms to 25, with 12 being hurricanes and 6 being major hurricanes - like Beryl.

Getty Images/Joe Raedle - hurricane and pizza

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has also predicted 2024 to be an above-average hurricane season. Agency forecasters predict there will be 17 to 25 named storms, with eight to 13 of those cyclones turning into hurricanes and four to seven becoming major hurricanes.

How Will This Hurricane Predicition Increase Affect Maine?

Getty Images/Joe Raedle - Hurricane Beryl approaching Jamaica

CSU's Tropical Weather and Climate Research Team said in its latest release that the Gulf States have the highest probability of a major hurricane, like Beryl, striking their coasts. Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas are all at a predicted 42% risk.

As for the east coast states from Georgia all the way up to Maine (yes, us!) have a whopping 34% chance of a major hurricane hitting their coasts in 2024. Now that forces the question, has Maine ever been affected by a major hurricane before?

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A Major Hurricane Has Never Hit Maine

Getty Images/Joe Raedle

A major hurricane is considered a category 3, 4, or 5 storm. These are winds from 111mph and above. Maine coast has only been struck by a category 1 storm Down East in 1969 by Hurricane Gerda. Gerda had reported sustained winds of 80mph when it crossed into Vacationland.

As long as that Gulf of Maine keeps her waters cool, Maine is at a very little threat of a major hurricane despite the increased prediction by weather experts in Colorado. However, Mother Nature has and will do as she pleases, and there is no accurately predicting that.