Preparing for Possible Record-Breaking Hurricane Season with WeatherOptics and Platform Science

The forecast for the 2024 hurricane season is the most aggressive on record, with the possibility of up to 25 named storms and 13 hurricanes impacting the U.S. We’ve already seen abnormally intense hurricanes for July like Hurricane Beryl, which wreaked havoc on the Texas coastline and led to major transportation issues for days after the event. 

By understanding the predictions and leveraging available technologies — like those developed and deployed by WeatherOptics and Platform Science — fleets can mitigate weather-related risks, keeping their trucks and drivers safer on the road and timelines intact. 

Predictions for Extreme Activity to Come

A combination of record-breaking oceanic warmth and a swift transition from a strong El Niño to a La Niña pattern are setting the stage for what could be the most active hurricane season on record, and the meteorological community is becoming increasingly concerned.

For example, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an 85% chance of an above-average season — including up to 7 major hurricanes (Category 3 and above). The Colorado State University Tropical Weather & Climate Research center is predicting a similar highly active season, including much higher odds of a major hurricane hitting the U.S, most likely in the Gulf Coast.

Additionally, hurricanes seem to be becoming more frequent and stronger. The average number of major hurricanes in the 2000s and 2010s was 3.1 to 3.8 per year, compared to the 1970s and 1980s, when the average was only 1.6 per year.

“The tropical Atlantic is like a powder keg this year, storing an immense quantity of fuel for hurricanes as it experiences record warm sea surface temperatures,” said Joshua Feldman, Head of Meteorology at WeatherOptics.

“Without wind shear to disrupt hurricane circulations due to a La Niña summer, tropical cyclones will be frequent and have a propensity for both longevity and rapid intensification.” Feldman continued.

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NASA Goddard Space Flight Center from Greenbelt, MD, USA - Dramatic Views of Hurricane Florence from the International Space Station

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What an active season means for supply chain and logistics 

The hyperactive hurricane season poses multiple risks for different industries, especially those in emergency management, supply chain, logistics, and trucking. Towns and cities in hurricane-prone areas should prepare for the season ahead of time. Some of the most common impacts from landfalling hurricanes include: 

Disrupted supply chain and logistics operations

1. Transportation delays: Hurricanes can lead to significant delays in transportation due to road closures, port shutdowns, and disruptions to air and rail services. This can delay the delivery of goods, affecting inventory and leading to stockouts or overstock situations.

2. Route changes and increased operation costs: Businesses may need to reroute shipments to avoid affected areas, which often leads to increased fuel costs and longer delivery times. This can result in higher operational costs and impact the efficiency of logistics operations.

3. Labor and workforce challenges: Severe weather can prevent employees from reaching work, especially in transportation and warehousing. This can slow down operations and significantly reduce productivity.

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A section of the Sanibel Causeway was lost due to the effects of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Fla. (Photo: Steve Helber/Associated Press)

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Damage to critical infrastructure

1. Facility and road damage: Hurricanes can cause extensive damage to warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing plants, roadways, and office buildings. Businesses may face costly repairs and interruptions in operations while they rebuild or relocate. Regular routes may need to be altered, adding to route length and delivery times.

2. Power outages: Hurricanes can wreak havoc on power lines and cause widespread outages that last for days or even weeks. This can halt production, spoil perishable goods, and disrupt communications. Backup power solutions may help but can be costly to implement and maintain, and may not last for the necessary time. Additionally, power outages affecting gas stations can cause a severe impact on fleets, as routes must be adjusted to ensure drivers can safely reach fuel stops and destinations.

3. Communication disruptions: Damage to communication infrastructure can make coordination and information flow difficult for emergency managers. It can also further interrupt the supply chain, exacerbating delays and inefficiencies. Back offices may face increased difficulties in keeping communications with drivers, which becomes even more important in times of emergency, reroutes, and weather response.

Drastic swings in supply and demand

1. Pre-hurricane surge in demand: We often see a surge in demand for essential goods such as food, water, fuel, and building material before a hurricane strikes. Businesses need to be prepared to meet this increase in demand to maintain customer expectations  and fleets may need to add additional trucks to the road to meet demand. 

2. Post-hurricane supply shortages: Severely disrupted supply chains can lead to shortages of goods and materials. Businesses may struggle to restock inventory to meet the sudden surge in demand, particularly for building supplies and material. There may also be more congestion on the roads, due to reroutes or evacuations, impacting timelines for fleet routes and deliveries.

3. Fluctuations in consumer behavior: Consumer behavior tends to shift before, after, and during hurricanes. We often see an increase in demand for critical goods and supplies, and a significant decrease in demand for non-essential items. It can be difficult for businesses to navigate and adapt their inventory and sales strategies to remain competitive. Fleets may have to become more flexible to find solutions to help their customers meet abnormal supply and demand needs.

How WeatherOptics & Platform Science are working together to improve on-time arrivals and fleet safety

WeatherOptics, a member of the PlatformScience Virtual Vehicle ecosystem, works with the goal of helping fleets and transportation businesses make smarter decisions before, during, and after high-impact weather events like hurricanes. The collaboration between WeatherOptics’ advanced weather intelligence and Platform Science’s real-time telematics data revolutionizes how fleets like Werner Enterprises and PGT Trucking manage weather-related risks.

One of the key benefits of this partnership is enhanced safety for fleet operations. WeatherOptics provides hyperlocal, highly accurate weather and impact forecasts, along with real-time updates, which are crucial for making informed decisions proactively on the road. 

By integrating WeatherOptics forecasts with Platform Science’s telematics data, fleets can set thresholds for specific weather alerts and recommended actions for drivers when these conditions occur. Once configured, the solution is completely automated and hands-free.

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WeatherOptics Insight Portal leveraging telematics data from Platform Science

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The integration is also route-based instead of location-based, allowing for more precise alerts by accounting for vehicle direction and final destination. Drivers will only receive alerts that are expected to impact their individual vehicle, allowing for a better driver experience with improved safety.

In addition to safety, these technologies can significantly boost operational efficiency. Fleet managers and back office teams can leverage WeatherOptics' data to optimize routes based on current and forecasted weather conditions. This means fewer delays, reduced fuel consumption, and lower operational costs. The integration also helps in proactive maintenance scheduling by predicting weather impacts on vehicle performance, ensuring that fleets are always in top condition and reducing unexpected breakdowns.

Key Benefits for Fleets

• Enhanced Safety: Real-time weather alerts and hyperlocal forecasts to avoid dangerous conditions.
• Operational Efficiency: Optimized routing to reduce delays and fuel consumption.
• Proactive Maintenance: Predictive analytics help foresee weather impacts on vehicle performance.
• Cost Savings: Lower operational costs through better route planning and maintenance scheduling.
• Improved Driver Satisfaction: Safer routes and fewer delays lead to happier, more productive drivers.

The WeatherOptics Right Route app integration with Platform Science ensures that all of these benefits are easily accessible and actionable. The intuitive interface and customizable dashboard that allows fleet managers to seamlessly incorporate weather data into their daily operations. This means that the power of WeatherOptics' advanced weather insights is at their fingertips, enabling them to make smarter, data-driven decisions in real-time.

With the peak of hurricane season steadily approaching, now is the time to make sure you have the right enterprise tools in place and a plan of action for the possibility of an extreme weather season.

‍Learn more by visiting the WeatherOptics website or the Platform Science Virtual Vehicle marketplace.