What to Expect from the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Hurricane season kicks off June 1. How should resilience professionals plan for another turbulent year of storms? Here’s what the latest climate data is predicting. The Weather Channel currently expects 19 storms to form, nine of which will become hurricanes and four of which will reach Category 3 status or stronger. This mostly agrees with the latest numbers from the Colorado State University Department of Atmospheric Science, which is predicting 17 storms but otherwise agrees that nine will become hurricanes and four could become major storms. For comparison, 2024 resulted in 11 hurricanes, including the devastating Francine (Category 2) and Helene (Category 4), both of which came late in the season after a relative summer lull. 2024 was also among the most costly seasons, at an estimated $500 billion in damages. This year’s expected storms ultimately depend on the water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Unlike last year, this year’s lukewarm temperatures are closer to average, and may help curb the development of some storms as the season progresses. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has yet to issue its expectations for the season; it is expected to weigh in at the end of May once additional data is available. For resilience professionals, forewarned is forearmed. The advancements in climate science continue to provide vital information on potential disasters and how to prepare for them.