NOAA Predicts Active Atlantic Hurricane Season in 2025
Forecasters over at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently dropped some knowledge on us by issuing their pre-season Atlantic hurricane forecast for 2025. And guess what? They’re predicting an active season ahead. Brace yourselves because we can expect a total of 13 to 19 named storms, with six to 10 of those bad boys escalating into hurricanes. And to top it off, 3-5 of those hurricanes are expected to reach major hurricane status. Sounds like Mother Nature is gearing up for a show this year!
In case you were wondering, on average, the Atlantic usually churns out around 14 named storms, seven of which become hurricanes, and three that end up as major storms. So, it looks like we might be in for a slightly bumpier ride this time around. But hey, isn’t that what keeps things interesting? The NOAA forecast isn’t the only one in town though. Researchers at Colorado State University also chimed in with their own seasonal forecast back in April. They’re basing their predictions on a few key factors like warmer-than-normal water in the Atlantic Ocean, an ENSO-Neutral pattern (neither El Niño or La Niña conditions), weak trade winds, and wind shear over the Atlantic, and an active West African Monsoon.
Get Ready and Stay Prepared for the 2025 Hurricane Season
As we gear up for the upcoming hurricane season, NOAA isn’t messing around. They’re upgrading their hurricane forecast tools to make sure we’re all on our toes when it comes to tracking and predicting storm intensity. Warm ocean water is like the fuel that keeps hurricanes going strong. When the water is warmer than usual, these storms have more energy to work with. And let’s not forget about the Equatorial Pacific water temperature anomalies (ENSO) which also play a crucial role in the hurricane season forecast. Usually, an El Niño pattern spells trouble for hurricanes as it creates hostile wind patterns over the Atlantic. On the flip side, La Niña tends to be more favorable for hurricane development. This year, we’re looking at ENSO-Neutral conditions, but forecasters are still expecting those sweet wind patterns that make hurricanes thrive: light trade winds and low wind shear.
An active West African Monsoon is like the pre-game warm-up for hurricanes. It usually leads to a bunch of tropical waves making their way into the Atlantic Ocean from the west coast of Africa right before hurricane season hits its peak. And we all know what those tropical waves can lead to – some serious hurricanes that can pack a serious punch. So, mark your calendars because the hurricane season kicks off on June 1 and doesn’t call it quits until Nov. 30. This forecast from NOAA should serve as a friendly reminder to get your ducks in a row for the 2025 season. Have a solid plan in place in case a hurricane decides to pay a visit to the tri-state area or if you catch an indirect hit from a hurricane, tropical storm, or the remnants of a storm (remember the chaos caused by the remnants of Ida on Sept. 1, 2021?). Make sure you’ve got all the necessary insurance, including flood insurance, know your evacuation zone, and have a well-stocked hurricane kit ready to roll in case your area gets hit. Let’s all stay safe and prepared for whatever the 2025 hurricane season throws our way!
