Hurricane Season 2025: Stronger Storms, Bigger Risks And Smarter Prep
IN SPACE - OCTOBER 8: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This Handout image was provided by a third-party ... More organization and may not adhere to Getty Images' editorial policy.) In this NASA handout, Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm at the time of this photograph, is pictured in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Yucatan Peninsula on October 8, 2024 seen from the International Space Station as it orbited 257 miles above. (Photo by NASA via Getty Images)
Hurricanes are tropical cyclones that have maximum sustained winds of 74mph or higher. The Atlantic hurricane season affecting the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean and and Gulf of Mexico spans the period June 1st to November 30th. The 2025 hurricane season is underway and will last 183 days, and all signs point to an intense and active period driven by record warm Atlantic Ocean Temperature and the transition to neutral El Niño–Southern Oscillation conditions, which together set the stage for a hyperactive season. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there is a 60% chance of an above-normal season, with forecasts predicting 13 to 19 named storms, 6 to 10 hurricanes, and 3 to 5 major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher with winds above 111 mph. The NOAA has been using advanced weather models coupled with cutting edge tracking systems to have a 70% confidence in their forecasted ranges.
KINGSTON, JAMAICA - JULY 03: Palm trees sway as the wind and rain from Hurricane Beryl pass through ... More on July 03, 2024, in Kingston, Jamaica. Beryl has caused widespread damage in several island nations as it continues to cross the Caribbean. (Photo by)
The science is clear, hurricanes are becoming stronger, and slower because of climate change. According to a BBC report, while wind speeds inside hurricanes are increasing, their overall forward movement across land and ocean is becoming slower. A 2018 study by researcher James Kossin revealed that hurricanes near the United States have decelerated by approximately 17% since the early 1900s, with tropical cyclones in the western North Pacific slowing by up to 20%. His research also indicate that the odds of a tropical cyclone reaching Category 3 strength or higher have risen by 8% per decade since the late 1970s.
Moreover the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlight that rising ocean temperatures which is a direct result of global warming provide more fuel for hurricanes, intensifying their wind speeds and rainfall. In addition to this, a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, leading to increasingly devastating flooding events.
SPRING, TEXAS - JULY 8: The damage at a home in the 17400 block of Rustic Canyon Trail is shown ... More where Maria Loredo, 74, died after a tree fell on her second story bedroom during Hurricane Beryl Monday, July 8, 2024, in Houston. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Hrricanes are intensifying and being proactive about storm preparation is critical, especially because 90% of hurricane-related deaths are caused by storm surges. These large, rapid rise in sea level driven by a hurricane's low-pressure center, and can flood coastal areas with water levels ranging from about 3 feet during a Category 1 hurricane, to over 19 feet in a Category 5 event. Here are some key steps that can be taken:
Technology can be used to improve hurricane preparation.
As hurricanes become stronger and more unpredictable, technology has emerged as a powerful tool for boosting home resilience and personal safety. Innovative devices are constantly being developed and optimized to offer resilience during and continuity after hurricanes. These are among the most valuable innovations for hurricane prep:
When a hurricane strikes, last-minute scrambling can be dangerous and time consuming. Based on firsthand experience and expert recommendations, assembling a comprehensive emergency kit well in advance is non-negotiable. As a result, here are the ten essentials every household should have ready before the first storm warning.
The 2025 hurricane season is shaping up to be one of the most active on record, driven by forces we can no longer ignore. As hurricanes grow stronger and more unpredictable, preparation is no longer optional. Investing in resilience from technology to emergency kits ensures you stay ready for whatever the 2025 season brings.
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