We get it — the last thing that’s on your mind as we head into the spring season is hurricanes; however, there are less than 100 days before the start of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
Last year’s season’s activity was above the historical average, with Florida taking some big hits from three hurricanes. Two of them were considered major hurricanes by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
It’s still considered too early for forecasters to be able to issue reliable predictions for the hurricane season, but two organizations have already released pre-season forecasts.
Here’s a look at what we know so far and how to prepare for the upcoming 2025 hurricane season in Florida.
When is hurricane season?
Beryl on NOAA satellite on the afternoon of July 5, 2024, after being downgraded by the National Hurricane Center to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Tropical activity picks up between mid-August and mid-October, with the peak of the season occurring Sept. 10.
The Atlantic basin includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, formerly the Gulf of Mexico.
2025 Atlantic hurricane season: What are this year’s names?
Here are the names for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, along with how to pronounce them:
What if we run out of hurricane names in 2025?
If the entire list of 21 names is used during the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, a supplemental list of names will come into play.
If all 21 names on the list for that year are used, names from a supplemental list are used.
The supplemental list, also approved by the WMO, replaced the use of names using the Greek alphabet in 2021. Forecasters have used the Greek alphabet twice, in 2005 and 2020.
In 2005, six names from the Greek alphabet were used. In 2020, with its record 30 named storms, nine names from the Greek alphabet were used.
For Atlantic storms, the supplemental list of names are:
2025 Atlantic hurricane season predictions: How bad will 2025 be?
Tropical Storm Risk (TSR), a venture developed from the U.K. government-supported TSUNAMI initiative project on seasonal tropical cyclone prediction, released its extended range forecast for the 2025 hurricane season on Dec. 10, 2024.
The TSR’s forecast predicts that there will be 15 tropical storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes, noting that this year’s seasonal activity will resemble the 1991-2020 climatology.
Warmer than average temperatures will increase the likelihood of Atlantic hurricane activity, but will be offset by a near-neutral El Niño-southern oscillation (ENSO), leading to weaker activity.
The caveat is that the forecast has high uncertainty due to very warm sea surface temperature anomalies across much of the Atlantic Ocean even back in December.
WeatherBell, a meteorological consulting firm that predicted an active 2024 hurricane season, issued its pre-season forecast in early February, coming to a similar conclusion.
WeatherBell’s preliminary prediction called for 15-19 named storms in total. Between 7-9 of those storms could become Category 1 or greater and between 2-3 could become major hurricanes.
The Atlantic Ocean is experiencing an overall cooling of sea surface temperatures, according to WeatherBell, noting that the main development region is much cooler now than it was at this time in 2024.
“The Atlantic is much cooler than last year, and the swath of warmer water is shown to the north. This suggests less activity in the Main Development Region, but the potential for rapid feedback farther to the north and in close to the coast is there, so it will be a different look, with its own share of issues,” the forecast says.
Let’s refresh: How many hurricanes were there during the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season?
There were 18 named storms during the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, according to NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service.
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Eleven became hurricanes, with winds of 74 mph or greater.
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Five intensified to major hurricanes, with winds of 111 mph or greater, which are Category 3 or higher storms.
That’s above the historical average of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
What are the categories for hurricanes? Saffir-Simpson wind scale used to rate hurricane strength
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1-to-5 rating scale based on a hurricane’s sustained wind speed. It was developed in 1971 by civil engineer Herbert Saffir and meteorologist Robert Simpson and introduced to the public in 1973, according to the NWS.
According to NOAA, the scale does not take into account other hazards such as storm surge, rainfall, flooding and tornadoes.
While all hurricanes produce life-threatening winds, NOAA also states that hurricanes rated Category 3 and higher are known as major hurricanes.
Here are the different hurricane categories and their impacts:
Category 1 hurricane: Wind speed and damage expected
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Impact: Very dangerous winds will produce some damage. Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days.
Category 2 hurricane: Wind speed and damage expected
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Impact: Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage. Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks.
Category 3 hurricane: Wind speed and damage expected
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Wind speed: 111-129 mph. Considered a major hurricane.
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Impact: Devastating damage will occur. Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.
Category 4 hurricane: Wind speed and damage expected
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Wind speed: 130-156 mph. Considered a major hurricane.
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Impact: Catastrophic damage will occur. Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Category 5 hurricane: Wind speed and damage expected
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Wind speed: 157 mph or higher. Considered a major hurricane.
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Impact: Catastrophic damage will occur. A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Is there a Category 6 hurricane?
There are no Category 6 hurricanes, though there is some debate as to whether another category should be added to the scale.
The reason a sixth hurricane category doesn’t exist is because it isn’t needed. A Category 5 hurricane is generally so strong, the amount of damage caused would be nearly indistinguishable from a stronger storm.
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New to Florida? Here’s what you can do now to prepare for hurricane season
Preparation is important for anyone living where tropical cyclones are possible and that starts well before the beginning of the season June 1. The Florida Department of Emergency Management offered these suggestions to get you started:
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Make a plan: Make a plan that is specific to the needs of your household, including children, pets and seniors.
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Know your zone: Is your home in an evacuation zone or flood-prone area? Go to Know Your Zone and enter your address to find out and learn the differences between various evacuation zones. Zone A is the most vulnerable and the most likely to be asked to evacuate first.
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Know your home: How strong is your home? Do you live in a manufactured home? Is your home able to withstand strong winds and heavy rain? Generally, homes built after 2002 include features that make them more resilient to hurricanes. There are also improvements you can make to your home now to strengthen it against future storms.
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Have multiple ways to receive weather alerts: You’ll want to stay informed at all times so have multiple ways to receive weather alerts. Officials encourage every household to have a battery-operated or hand-crank weather radio to receive alerts from the National Weather Service in the event of power outages or damaged cell towers.
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Restock your disaster supply kit: A disaster supply kit is essential. Make sure there is enough food, water and medicine to last each member of a household (including pets) for at least seven days. For a checklist of recommended supplies, visit FloridaDisaster.org/Kit.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: 2025 Hurricane Season: When does it start, what are the names
