We should brace for an ‘above-normal’ 2025 hurricane season, experts say
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Colorado State University has released its first 2025 Atlantic seasonal hurricane forecast, looking at an “above-normal” season ahead.
The forecast is calling for an above-normal season of 17 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes for the 2025 season.
Here is the list of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season names:
- Andrea
- Barry
- Chantal
- Dexter
- Erin
- Fernand
- Gabrielle
- Humberto
- Imelda
- Jerry
- Karen
- Lorenzo
- Melissa
- Nestor
- Olga
- Pablo
- Rebekah
- Sabastien
- Tanya
- Van
- Wendy
At least we won’t have another Hurricane Helene. The World Meteorological Organization on Wednesday officially retired the name of the 2024 storm that claimed 249 lives – including dozens in the CSRA – and took a $78.7 billion toll.
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The reasons mainly surrounding the relatively warm Atlantic and absence of El Nino.
Another piece of the report includes information on sea surface temperatures. Warmer-than-normal tropical Atlantic waters along with other factors could create a more conducive dynamic environment for hurricanes to form in general but also for the intensification of the storms.
The report anticipates an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the U.S. coastline and in the Caribbean.
A major hurricane is defined as a category 3 hurricane or higher.
2024 hurricane season set new records
There were a total of 18 named storms last year, 11 of which became hurricanes and the season saw five major hurricanes.
Hurricane Beryl, the second named storm and first to become a major hurricane, was the earliest Atlantic basin Category 5 hurricane on record.
Hurricane Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Sept. 26 in the Florida Gulf Coast, was the deadliest hurricane to affect the continental U.S. since Katrina hit in 2005. It was also the strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in the Big Bend of Florida.
Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane near Siesta Key, Florida, on Oct. 9, and data showed its rate of rapid intensification was among the highest ever recorded, with a 90-mph wind speed increase in 24 hours. When it made landfall, Milton spawned an outbreak of 46 tornadoes.
No named storms formed between Aug. 13 and Sept. 8, the first time that long of a lull happened since 1968, CSU said.
Seven hurricanes formed in the Atlantic after Sept. 25, the most on record from that date forward.
The 11 named storms that formed since Sept. 24 tied with 2005 for the record of most-named storms that formed from that date forward.
Hurricanes Kirk, Leslie and Milton were all active hurricanes at the same time in October, marking the first time on record that three hurricanes were simultaneously spinning in the Atlantic from October forward.
And five hurricanes made landfall in the continental U.S., falling short by one of the record total measured in 1886, 1985 and 2020.
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