Today, Environment and Climate Change Canada's Canadian Hurricane Centre reminded Canadians that we face the prospect of a significant hurricane season ahead. This annual Canadian update followed the release of the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Hurricane Centre outlook for the 2024 hurricane season. The hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30.
The NOAA predicts an above average hurricane season this year, with 17-25 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes and 4-7 major hurricanes in the North Atlantic Ocean. The Canadian Hurricane Centre and the NOAA work closely together to promote hurricane safety and preparedness throughout the season. These are the highest numbers that NOAA has ever predicted during a spring hurricane season outlook.
With a very active season ahead, it is more important than ever for Canadians to prepare early. Named storms, hurricanes and major hurricanes can cause significant rainfall, damaging winds, high waves and storm surge, and these impacts are expected to be even more significant with climate change. Global ocean temperatures hit a record high in February 2024 and North Atlantic temperatures have been at record highs for more than a year. Warmer water in the tropical Atlantic Ocean is expected to increase the number of storms this year. Overall, scientists have already seen an indication of an increase in the global proportion of category 3-5 hurricanes over the past four decades, and with climate change, the intensity of the strongest hurricanes is expected to increase globally.
Environment and Climate Change Canada's weather forecasting systems give Canadians notice of approaching tropical storms or hurricanes days in advance. These early warning systems are a key measure to save lives, enhance adaptation, and reduce economic hardship caused by weather and extreme climate events such as hurricanes and floods. Canada has invested $180.4 million in a new radar network. The new radars provide more detailed observations of precipitation type, precipitation intensity and storm structure over greater distances, which allows Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologists to assess risk and issue warnings to the public.
Through the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund, the federal government has provided up to $300 million over two years, starting in 2022, to support local communities and businesses affected by the last major hurricane and to help long-term recovery efforts. Projects funded have included investing in emergency generators for storm comfort centres, and in wharf, pier and more resilient breakwater repairs and restoration. The Government of Canada has also provided $166.9 million in funding to the Canadian Red Cross, St. John Ambulance, The Salvation Army, and the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) through the Humanitarian Workforce program, to help organizations develop capacity to deploy critical on-the-ground support to provincial and territorial governments during extreme weather events.
We must keep fighting climate change, but we must also be better prepared for the changes we are already seeing and adapt to those changes that are here to stay. Adaptation is about reducing the impacts of these events and changes on Canadians and communities and being better prepared to respond and recover. The National Adaptation Strategy lays out an inclusive vision for Canada in a changing climate and the ways to get there.
Get prepared for the season and pay attention to forecasts with Canada.ca/hurricanes.
