Floridians Brace for Potential October Hurricane Surge

As the calendar turns to October, weather patterns across the United States are set to undergo a series of dramatic changes. For Floridians, the upcoming month brings an increased risk of hurricane activity, with the state having seen 34 hurricanes make landfall in October since 1851 – a figure that nearly triples the second-highest state, Louisiana.

Recent years have seen some of these October hurricanes cause significant damage, with Hurricane Milton last year and Hurricane Michael in 2018 both impacting the state. Meanwhile, in California, the return of the Santa Ana winds is expected to ramp up, potentially enhancing the threat of wildfires in the region.

Elsewhere, the onset of fall is ushering in the peak of the annual fall foliage display, with the Rockies, northern Midwest, and Northeast set to see the most vibrant colors by early October. However, the changing seasons also bring the risk of the first freezes and snowfalls of the year, with the northern parts of the country bracing for these wintry conditions.