As hurricane season approaches, meteorologists are predicting a powerful and potentially catastrophic Atlantic hurricane season.
Experts at AccuWeather have released their early forecast for 2025, and the outlook is concerning.
This year’s season could bring even more destruction than 2024, which saw six major storms hit the United States and cause roughly $500 billion in damage.
Forecasting the Storms for 2025
According to AccuWeather, the 2025 season could see as many as 18 named storms, up to 10 hurricanes, and potentially five major hurricanes.
This is in line with the number of storms that struck the U.S. last year, with Hurricanes Helene and Milton being the most destructive.
The forecasts indicate a significantly active season.
This could mean another year of intense storms impacting the East Coast, with the possibility of some reaching even greater destructive forces than those of 2024.
The Impact of El Niño on the Hurricane Season
Meteorologists believe that this year’s hurricane season could be stronger due to the absence of El Niño.
El Niño is a climate phenomenon that can suppress storm activity in the Atlantic by warming the Pacific Ocean’s sea surface temperatures.
With El Niño unlikely to affect the season, experts are projecting that the climate pattern will remain neutral or shift toward La Niña by the end of 2025.
La Niña typically creates less wind shear, which can allow hurricanes to form more easily and strengthen more quickly.
Even in a neutral phase, meteorologists anticipate a more active hurricane season, and this could translate into a higher likelihood of direct impacts on the U.S.
The Bermuda-Azores High and its Role in the Forecast
Another key factor that meteorologists are watching is the Bermuda-Azores high.
This high-pressure system helps guide tropical storms and hurricanes across the Atlantic, affecting their paths toward the Caribbean and U.S. East Coast.
A stronger Bermuda-Azores high could force more storms directly toward Florida and up the U.S. coast, while a weaker one could cause storms to veer off into the Atlantic.
The range of predictions for the number of storms that could directly strike the U.S. varies, with three to six major storms expected.
This is similar to 2024’s season, which had six storms hit the U.S. directly, causing widespread damage.
The northern Gulf Coast, the Carolinas, and Atlantic Canada are all expected to be at a higher-than-average risk of being directly impacted.
Ongoing Recovery from 2024’s Storms
Last year, the devastation caused by hurricanes was immense.
For example, Hurricane Helene alone caused an estimated $250 billion in damage, particularly in North Carolina.
AccuWeather’s Jonathan Porter emphasized the ongoing struggles of thousands of families and small businesses still recovering from these storms.
Combined with wildfires, winter storms, and extreme temperatures, the total economic loss from weather disasters over the past 13 months is estimated to be between $693 billion and $799 billion.
Warmer Waters and an Early Start to the Season
As hurricane season officially begins on June 1, meteorologists have noted that sea-surface temperatures in the Atlantic are already much warmer than usual.
This includes waters in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, which could allow storms to intensify faster once they reach these regions.
The combination of warmer ocean temperatures and potentially colder La Niña conditions in the Pacific could make 2025’s hurricane season start earlier than usual, possibly as soon as May.
Preparing for the Hurricane Season
With the likelihood of an active hurricane season, experts are urging people who live in areas prone to hurricanes to begin preparing now.
Having a solid evacuation plan in place, along with emergency supplies and equipment, is essential to ensure safety when the storms inevitably arrive.
Meteorologists are reminding everyone that the hurricane season can bring unexpected challenges, and being prepared is crucial.