The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season began Wednesday, April 24, when the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued its first tropical outlook of the season. Photo: NHC

The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is advising residents to be mindful that the start to the season is fast approaching and it essential to make the necessary preparations early. Photo: DDM

For the record, the season doesn't "officially" begin until June 1, and the first daily tropical outlook is scheduled to be released on May 15.

NHC first reported on the disturbance at 4:10 p.m. Wednesday, April 24.

It said an area of low pressure was located about 900 miles northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. “It's been producing a small but persistent area of showers and thunderstorms to the east of its center since Wednesday morning,” NHC stated.

The low is forecast to move southwest at 10 to 15 mph into an area of stronger upper-level winds Wednesday night and Thursday, April 25.

Be proactive- DDM

According to the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), this disturbance is showing a low chance of development over the upcoming week. "It gives an indication that its possible to have an early start to the 2024 hurricane season," DDM stated.

Residents are being asked to be mindful that the start of the season is fast approaching and it is essential to make the necessary preparations early. "It is better to be proactive rather than reactive," DDM said.

According to The Weather Channel, from 1851 to 2023, 41 named storms formed in the Atlantic Basin before June 1, a long-term average of one such early storm every four to five years.

At least one named storm developed before June 1 in each hurricane season from 2015 to 2021 and there were some impacts in the US and elsewhere in the Atlantic Basin. One recent example was in late May 2020, when the Carolinas were impacted by a pair of tropical storms.