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The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will officially begin on June 1 and run through November 30. Although these dates mark the designated period, meteorologists are already on alert for atmospheric conditions that could favor more intense than normal activity this year.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric istration (NOAA), there is a 60% chance that the 2025 hurricane activity will be above average, compared to a 30% chance that it will be a normal season. Between 13 and 19 named tropical storms are expected to form, of which between six and 10 could become hurricanes. Of these, between three and five would reach the category of major hurricanes, i.e. category 3 or higher, with sustained winds of at least 111 mph.
The NOAA attributes the forecast to a combination of factors: warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures, ENSO-neutral conditions (neither El Niño nor La Niña), low wind shear and a more active African monsoon season, which are the starting point for many Atlantic storms. "All of these elements favor the formation of tropical cyclones," the NOAA said in its report.
Florida is the state most affected by hurricanes
Historically, Florida is the most hurricane-prone state, with more than 120 impacts since 1851. It is followed by Texas, with 66. In fact, 40% of all hurricanes that have made landfall in the United States have affected Florida.
How to prepare for this threat? The best strategy is to anticipate. Authorities recommend:
- Check if you live in an evacuation zone.
- Have an evacuation plan and share it with family or friends.
- Prepare an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, medications and important documents.
- Review insurance policies, especially flood coverage.
- Keep digital and physical copies of key documents.
A tropical storm has sustained winds of 39 mph or more. When those winds reach 74 mph, the system is classified as a hurricane. If it exceeds 111 mph, it is considered a major hurricane.
The list of names for major hurricanes in 2025 includes: Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dexter, Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastian, Tanya, Van and Wendy.
Although the season has not officially begun, NOAA anticipates that a low-pressure area could develop between May 26 and 30 south of the Mexican coast. If it becomes a named storm, it will be called Alvin, the first named system in the northern hemisphere for 2025.
After a 2024 season that left in its wake devastating storms such as Helene and Milton, experts insist that early preparation is key. The threat is not limited to coastal areas; inland flooding, such as that caused by Helene, has shown that the impact of these phenomena can extend far beyond the coastline. With months of possible intense activity ahead, the time to act is now.