Hurricane season could mean bad news for Utah gas prices

SALT LAKE CITY — A record-breaking hurricane season is predicted by the Colorado State University 2024 hurricane outlook.  The study says as many as 11 hurricanes could hit the U.S. this season.

If that many storms hit, it would be one of the most active hurricane seasons on record.

Last year, only one hurricane hit the U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. That hurricane was Hurricane Idalia, a category-3 hurricane that hit  Florida in late August. 

And while no hurricane is expected to hit Utah, rising gas prices related to hurricanes probably will. 

How does a hurricane affect gas prices?

Gas prices typically go up during summer months, but an active hurricane season could play a big role in raising them even more. Julian Paredes with AAA said that could put a strain on the supply chain.

“The biggest concern would be if weather affects refinery production, that’s definitely something that could happen, and has happened historically in the past,” he said. “That’s a big loss for the entire region and could cause gas prices to go up.” 

Paredes says it’s hard to predict how much a big storm will impact a refinery. Sometimes refineries are able to keep production going.

“Severe weather happens all the time and refineries can continue, but it’s definitely a possibility.” 

Related reading: How an earthquake impacts homes and buildings