Don't expect it to last, though. Today the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) updated its predictions for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season from near normal to above normal, saying we can expect to see 14-21 named storms this year, with six to 11 of those becoming hurricanes.

The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season was an exceptionally active one, far exceeding initial near-normal predictions. Ultimately, the season produced 20 named storms, making it the fourth-most active year on record since 1950. Of these 20 storms, seven became hurricanes and three reached major hurricane status (Category 3 or higher). For Florida specifically, the most significant impact came from Hurricane Idalia, which made landfall on August 30, 2023, as a powerful Category 3 storm in the Big Bend region near Keaton Beach. Idalia brought sustained winds of 125 mph and a record-breaking storm surge to the area. While multiple storms were tracked throughout the season, Idalia was the only hurricane to make a direct U.S. landfall in 2023, highlighting that even a season with many storms can be defined by a single major event for Florida residents.