NOAA just released its 2025 hurricane forecast. Here's what to know.
Hurricane experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said they are expecting an above normal Atlantic hurricane season. The agency said it is anticipating up 13 to 19 named storms, of which six to 10 could become hurricanes and three to five could ramp up into a major hurricane, a Category 3 storm or higher.
Forecasters expect a 60% chance of an above normal season, a 30% chance of a near normal season and just a 10% chance of below normal season.
The official start of the Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1.
A typical hurricane season consists of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The forecast, while still above normal, is not as fierce as last year's outlook, when the agency released its most aggressive preseason forecast in its history, which was driven by extreme ocean heat and a budding La Niña.
'Every thing is in place for an above average season,' said Ken Graham, the director of the National Weather service.
'What do we always say? It only takes one.'
The 2025 federal outlook aligns with other early season forecasts released last month.
Colorado State University, a school renowned for its hurricane research, said in April it expects 'above-normal' tropical activity this year.
The university's early-season prediction stemmed from warm sea-surface temperatures, and the potential for conditions that kindle tropical activity.
'Forecasting the future is hard, whether you're forecasting weather, whether you're forecasting sporting events, political races, all that stuff,' Philip Klotzbach, a meteorologist at the university, said at the time.
'But we also find that you can see a lot by looking, basically by going back into the past,' Klotzbach said. 'There are clues in the atmosphere and ocean system that can tip us off as to whether the current hurricane season is going to have above or below normal activity.'
• • •
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