Hurricane season in the Atlantic has officially begun.

And while this year will likely be less extreme than in 2024 — one of the most destructive seasons ever, with the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record — it’s still shaping up to be a doozy.

Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict “above-average” activity this season, with six to 10 hurricanes. The season runs from June 1 to November 30.

NOAA’s 2025 hurricane forecast, by the numbers

60 percent: Chance of an above-normal hurricane season.

6 to 10: Hurricanes expected this season, meaning tropical storms with wind speeds reaching at least 74 mph.

3 to 5: Major hurricanes, or storms with wind speeds reaching 111 mph or higher.

13 to 19: Named storms, referring to tropical systems with wind speeds of at least 39 mph.

NOAA says it will update its forecast in early August.

At least three of those storms will be category 3 or higher, the forecasters project, meaning they will have gusts reaching at least 111 miles per hour. Other reputable forecasts predict a similarly active 2025 season with around nine hurricanes. Last year, there were 11 Atlantic hurricanes, whereas the average for 1991 to 2020 was just over 7, according to hurricane researchers at Colorado State University.

A highly active hurricane season is obviously never a good thing, especially for people living in places like Florida, Louisiana, and, apparently, North Carolina (see: Hurricane Helene, the deadliest inland........

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