Above-normal active 2025 hurricane season predicted by Colorado State University

Colorado State University (CSU) is calling for an above-normal level of activity for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

The forecast is based on warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic and other ocean conditions.

2025 hurricane season forecast (Colorado State University)

The forecast also takes into account La Niña conditions, which indicate cooler temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and stronger hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean. 

La Niña or El Niño conditions, combined with sea temperatures, are used annually for hurricane season predictions.

With its forecast, CSU released the following statement:

A warmer-than-normal tropical Atlantic combined with likely ENSO neutral (or potential La Niña) conditions typically provides a more conducive dynamic and thermodynamic environment for hurricane formation and intensification. We anticipate an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean. Colorado State University forecasters

In July 2024, CSU predicted an even stronger hurricane season with 25 named storms, 12 hurricanes and six major hurricanes for the 2024 hurricane season. It was comparable to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2024 forecast, which was the most aggressive NOAA hurricane forecast ever issued in May, predicting:

• 17 to 25 named storms
• 8 to 13 hurricanes
• 4 to 7 major hurricanes

“I’d say that it’s not as aggressive as 2024, but we are still expecting an above average season in 2025,” WRAL meteorologist Anthony Baglione explained. 

As NOAA and CSU predicted, the 2024 season was strong — and deadly. “Helene” was so destructive that it was retired and added to a list of other hurricane names that will no longer be used.

Hurricane season officially starts on June 1 and ends Nov. 30.

The list of hurricane names for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is:

• Andrea
• Barry
• Chantal
• Dexter
• Erin
• Fernand
• Gabrielle
• Humberto
• Imelda
• Jerry
• Karen
• Lorenzo
• Melissa
• Nestor
• Olga
• Pablo
• Rebekah
• Sebastien
• Tanya
• Van
• Wendy