Hurricane Season 2025: What to Expect and How to Prepare
As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season approaches, experts are urging people to get ready early. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued its seasonal outlook, and the predictions show this could be another intense year for tropical storms and hurricanes.
A Higher-Than-Normal Season Expected
According to NOAA, there’s a 60% chance that the 2025 season will be more active than average. Forecasters estimate there will be 13 to 19 named storms, which are systems with wind speeds of at least 39 mph. Out of these, 6 to 10 are expected to develop into hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or more), and 3 to 5 could become major hurricanes—Category 3 or higher, with wind speeds topping 111 mph.
For comparison, an average season typically sees around 14 named storms and 7 hurricanes, based on data from 1991 to 2020.
Looking Back at 2024: A Tragic Reminder
Last year serves as a stark reminder of how deadly and destructive hurricane seasons can be. In 2024, there were 18 named storms, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused widespread devastation. The season resulted in over 400 deaths, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane season since 2005. Financially, it ranked as the third most expensive season in history, behind 2017 and 2005.
Helene alone led to at least 241 deaths in the continental U.S., making it the deadliest single storm in nearly two decades. Hurricanes Beryl and Milton also caused significant loss of life.
What Other Experts Are Predicting
NOAA isn’t alone in forecasting an active season. Other leading meteorologists and organizations have shared similar views:
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Colorado State University predicts 17 named storms, with 9 likely to become hurricanes.
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AccuWeather expects 13 to 18 named storms, including 7 to 10 hurricanes.
For context, the most active hurricane season on record occurred in 2020, when 30 named storms were recorded.
The 2025 Hurricane Season Timeline
The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The first named storm of the year will be called Andrea.
While no storms have formed yet in the Atlantic or Pacific, forecasters are monitoring a potential tropical system developing in the eastern Pacific south of Mexico. It’s still too early to predict whether it will affect land.
Why Early Preparation Matters
Michael Brennan, Director of the National Hurricane Center, emphasized how much forecasting has improved in recent years. However, he warned that rapidly intensifying hurricanes can still catch communities off guard, highlighting the need for early and thorough preparation.
“The strongest hurricanes are often the ones that form and intensify quickly,” Brennan said. “That leaves less time to respond, which is why being ready ahead of time is critical.”
Tips to Stay Safe This Hurricane Season
NOAA and emergency officials recommend taking the following steps now:
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Review and update your emergency plans
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Prepare an emergency supply kit
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Stay informed through reliable weather updates
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Know your local evacuation routes
As NOAA Acting Administrator Laura Grimm put it:
“Prepare now and stay ready throughout the season.”
