When does hurricane season end? Tropical activity could continue past 'end date'

With 10 named storms so far in the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season , including six hurricanes, several are turning to Google asking just when will this season be over.

We have two more months to go before the official end of hurricane season, and there's a distinct possibility we'll see more named storms even after Nov. 30.

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With power still out for hundreds of thousands across Florida and the Southeast , and damage estimates just now being compiled after landfall from major Hurricane Helene — not to mention Hurricane Isaac, Tropical Storm Joyce and a possible new threat looming for the Gulf Coast — here's what you should know.

When will hurricane season end?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

Countdown clock: How much longer will hurricane season last?

When is the busiest part of the Atlantic hurricane season?

The most active period of the Atlantic hurricane season historically has been from mid-August through mid-October.

The peak hits Sept. 10.

The Atlantic basin includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.

How many named storms historically develop each year?

Based on a 30-year average from 1991 to 2020, the average number of named storms in the Atlantic hurricane season is 14, with seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

A major hurricane has sustained winds of at least 111 mph, so Category 3, 4 and 5 storms are considered major hurricanes.

The first named storm typically forms in mid to late June, the first hurricane tends to form in early to mid-August, and the first major hurricane forms in late August or early September.

Hurricane Helene was fourth hurricane to hit Gulf Coast this year

The Gulf Coast has had more than its share of hurricanes this year:

• Beryl
• Debby
• Francine
• Helene

There have been five years on record where there have been four or more hurricane landfalls on the Gulf Coast, according to Phil Klotzbach, meteorologist at Colorado State University . The most hurricanes to make a Gulf Coast landfall in a single season was six in 1886.

Will there be a 5th hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast this year?

It's possible.

An area of low pressure could develop in the western Caribbean and then move into the southern Gulf of Mexico by the end of next week.

"Don't let your guard down," said AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter in a telephone interview Friday, Sept. 27.

"Another serious threat for a tropical storm or hurricane could eventually emerge from this area of concern. It's in the same general area in the northwestern Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico where Helene got started.

A tropical depression or tropical storm could form between Oct. 1 through Oct. 4 in the western Caribbean and then head into the Gulf of Mexico.

"It's too early for specifics but anyone from the coast of Mexico through Florida will want to closely monitor this in the days ahead. Early indications are that it could be a threat to U.S. Gulf Coast sometime either late next week" or Oct. 5-6, Porter said.

Tropical activity could continue into December this year

While tropical activity generally slows down after mid-October. Don't count on that this year.

This season could "rank among the busiest on record," NOAA said in its August forecast.

NOAA , AccuWeather and and Colorado State University have all predicted the number of storms could be higher than average, with AccuWeather predicting this season has the potential to break the all-time record of 30 named storms in one season.

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How many tropical storms or hurricanes have occurred in November, December and January?

Over the past 10 years, there have been 14 named storms between November and January, including

• Subtropical storm, unnamed: Jan. 16-17, 2023.
• Hurricane Nicole : Nov. 7-11, 2022. Landfall Nov. 10 south of Vero Beach as a Category 1 storm.
• Hurricane Martin : Nov. 1-3, 2022.
• Hurricane Lisa: Oct. 31-Nov. 5, 2022.
• Tropical Storm Wanda: Oct. 30-Nov. 7, 2021.
• Major Hurricane Eta : Oct. 31-Nov. 13, 2020.
• Tropical Storm Theta: Nov. 10-15, 2020.
• Major Hurricane Iota: Nov. 13-18, 2020.
• Sub-Tropical Storm Rebekah: Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2019.
• Tropical Storm Sebastien : Nov. 19-24, 2019.
• Tropical Storm Rina: Nov. 5-9, 2017.
• Hurricane Alex: Jan. 12-15, 2016.
• Major Hurricane Otto: Nov. 20-26, 2016.
• Hurricane Kate : Nov. 8-11, 2015.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: When does hurricane season end? Tropical activity could continue past 'end date'