Another active hurricane season expected

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Every April 3, Colorado State University with lead forecaster Dr. Phillip Klotzbach comes out with their first hurricane season prediction for the number and intensity of storms.

For this 2025 hurricane season the CSU team is projecting another active season.

This is mainly based on the main fact that El Nino will likely not be in play during the entire season. El Nino is the warming of the eastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of Peru. When El Nino is in play we see stronger than normal mid- to upper-level winds blowing from that region across the Atlantic basin, which includes the Caribbean and Gulf. These strong winds known as wind shear typically means fewer and less intense storms developing.

Chance for a neutral or average ENSO is highest for the start of hurricane season(WWSB)

This year the forecast is for neutral conditions or average water temperatures throughout much of the season. However, there are signs that we could see a return to La Nina (cooling of the eastern Pacific) like we saw last year during the end of the season. This would not bode well for Florida as typically when La Nina is in play Florida is more likely to be impacted by late-season storms.

Another factor used in this forecast is the slightly above average water temperatures in the main development region in the Atlantic just east of the Caribbean.

The forecast is for 17 named storms, nine hurricanes and five major hurricanes with winds greater than 110 mph. As I say every year before the start of the season, it doesn’t matter how many storms are predicted have a plan before the season starts and know what evacuation level you live in. If told to evacuate do so it could save your life.

Here is a look at the upcoming names for the 2025 season.