The 2024 Pre-Hurricane Conference (PHC) is a crucial initiative aimed at tackling the challenges presented by extreme weather events and their interplay with the oscillation between Pacific climate patterns, specifically El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and La Niña Southern Oscillation (LNSO), which equally impact the region. Against this backdrop, this year’s Conference seeks to underscore the significance of bolstering early warning systems, early response mechanisms, and early funding to better equip the region and National Red Cross Societies for the 2024 Hurricane Season.

The hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30 in the Atlantic and from May 15 to November 30 in the Pacific, is a critical period during which extreme weather conditions are expected. During these months, the oceans become cauldrons of energy, giving rise to the formation of tropical storms and hurricanes that can cause significant devastation. The impacts of these cyclones extend far beyond coastal areas, affecting economies, infrastructure, and the daily lives of communities in their path.

In the context of this hurricane season preparedness, it is essential to consider an additional factor: the forecast oscillation between ENSO and LNSO. These global climatic phenomena can influence weather patterns worldwide and has the potential to intensify or weaken hurricane activity in the Atlantic and Pacific regions. Understanding the relationship between these phenomena and hurricanes is a fundamental part of our ability to anticipate and mitigate the impacts of these extreme events.

The 2024 PHC will focus on the interaction between hurricanes and ENSO and LNSO, exploring how these phenomena can collaborate or compete in their influence on climate and meteorological systems. Our goal is to enhance the early warning, early action and early funding capacity for prediction, response, and adaptation of communities and governments to this complex dynamic.

The 2024 PHC is more than an assembly of experts; it is a call to action, a reminder of the need to prepare, cooperate, and adapt in a constantly changing world. Together, we will face the challenge of nature with wisdom and resilience, seeking a safer and more sustainable future for the Atlantic and Pacific regions.