The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season was an unusual Atlantic hurricane season that featured bursts of intense tropical cyclone development over warmer-than-normal waters between long and quiet stretches with low tropical activity. Three Category 5 hurricanes formed this season, the second most of any year on record, behind only the 2005 season, which had four. Among the three was Hurricane Melissa, the strongest tropical cyclone of the year globally, among the most intense Atlantic hurricanes on record, as well as the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall in Jamaica on record. Due in large part to these systems, and despite a near-average total of 13 named storms, 5 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes, the season had an above-normal accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 130.8 units. The season officially began on June 1, and ended on November 30. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most subtropical or tropical cyclogenesis occurs in the Atlantic Ocean. Overall, 13 named storms formed, with 5 of those becoming hurricanes, of which 4 strengthened into major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale). The first system, Tropical Storm Andrea, formed on June 23, marking the latest start to an Atlantic season since 2014.
Also in June, Tropical Storm Barry struck Veracruz causing widespread flooding in eastern Mexico. Then, in July, Tropical Storm Chantal hit South Carolina, the only system to make landfall in the United States this season, producing heavy rainfall across the Carolinas. No hurricanes made landfall in the United States this season, for the first time since 2015. In August, Hurricane Erin reached Category 5 strength. It made landfall in Cape Verde as a tropical storm and had indirect effects on the eastern Caribbean and the Atlantic coast of the United States. Afterwards, unfavorable conditions caused tropical cyclogenesis to cease for nearly a month through the end of August and the first two weeks of September, during the typical peak of the hurricane season. In mid-September, activity resumed with the formation of Hurricane Gabrielle in the central Atlantic. Gabrielle rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane before weakening and affecting the Azores and Spain as an extratropical cyclone. Next came Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda. Humberto attained Category 5 strength, but did not make landfall. While developing into a tropical cyclone, Imelda caused significant flooding in the Eastern Caribbean before strengthening off the East Coast of the United States and passing close to Bermuda. In October, Tropical Storm Jerry brought heavy rain to portions of the Lesser Antilles. Later that month, the final and strongest storm of the season, Hurricane Melissa, intensified into a Category 5 hurricane south of Jamaica and made landfall there near peak intensity, resulting in catastrophic destruction. Melissa dissipated on October 31, with no storms forming during the month of November, in turn concluding the season. Collectively, the storms during the season caused at least 126 fatalities and resulted in at least US$12.7 billion in monetary losses, mostly due to Melissa.
Seasonal forecasts
In advance of, and during, each hurricane season, several forecasts of hurricane activity are issued by national meteorological services, scientific agencies, and noted hurricane experts. These include forecasters from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Climate Prediction Center, Tropical Storm Risk (TSR), the United Kingdom's Met Office, and Colorado State University (CSU). The forecasts include weekly and monthly changes in significant factors that help determine the number of tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes within a particular season.
According to NOAA and CSU, the average hurricane season between 1991 and 2020 contained about 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes (Category 3 and higher), as well as an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index of 72–111 units. Broadly speaking, ACE is the measure of the power of a tropical or subtropical cyclone multiplied by the length of time it existed. ACE is only calculated for full advisories on specific tropical or subtropical cyclones reaching wind speeds of 39 mph (63 km/h) or higher. NOAA typically describes a season as above-average, average, or below-average depending on the cumulative ACE index, but the number of tropical storms, hurricanes or major hurricanes can also be considered.
Pre-season forecasts
On December 10, 2024, Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) released its extended range forecast for the 2025 season, predicting an average season with 15 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes, and an ACE index of 129, but noted that the forecast had higher than normal uncertainty due to environmental factors.
On April 3, 2025, Colorado State University (CSU) released its forecast, which predicts an above-average hurricane season with 17 named storms, 9 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes, with an ACE index of 155, citing extremely warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures and a weakening La Niña transitioning to a neutral phase by summer. Four days later, TSR issued an updated forecast, again calling for a near-average season reducing the number of tropical storms to 14, but maintained the numbers of hurricanes at 7 and majors at 3 and ACE index of 120.
On April 9, the University of Arizona (UA) posted their forecast calling for a fairly normal season featuring 15 named storms, 7 hurricanes, 3 major hurricanes, and an ACE index of 110 units. On April 14, University of Missouri (MU) issued their prediction of 12–16 named storms, 7–9 hurricanes, and 3–4 major hurricanes. On April 15, North Carolina State University (NCSU) predicted a season with 12–15 tropical storms, 6–8 hurricanes, and 2–3 major hurricanes. On April 17, The Weather Company (TWC) released their outlook anticipating a well above average season with 19 named systems, 9 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes. On April 23, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) issued their forecast of 10–18 named storms with a best guess of 14 storms.
On May 7, the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) issued their forecast of 13–17 tropical storms, 6–8 hurricanes, and 3–4 major hurricanes. On May 21, the Met Office (UKMO) released their prediction of 16 tropical storms, 9 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes as well as ACE Index of 154. On May 22, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released their forecast, calling for an above-average season, expecting 13–19 named storms, 6–10 hurricanes, and 3–5 major hurricanes as well as an ACE index of 95–180. On May 23, 2025, TSR updated its forecast, calling for an above-average season, expecting 16 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes and an ACE index of 146.
Mid-season forecasts
On June 11, CSU updated its prediction, continuing to show an above average season, with 17 named storms, 9 hurricanes, 4 major hurricanes, and an ACE index of 155, the same statistics forecasted in April. On June 17, the University of Arizona (UA) updated their forecast, continuing to call for a season featuring 17 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes, but an above-normal ACE index of 155 units—higher than predicted in April.
On July 8, TSR updated their forecast, calling for 15 named storms, 7 hurricanes, 3 major hurricanes, an ACE index of 126 units, with CSU updating their predictions the next day, slightly downgrading their forecast to 16 named storms, 8 hurricanes, 3 major hurricanes, and an ACE index of 140 units. Weeks later, on August 7, NOAA updated its predictions as well, continuing to forecast an above-average season, but slightly decreasing their forecasted totals of storms. NOAA's predictions were reduced to 13–18 named storms, 5–9 hurricanes, and 2–5 major hurricanes.
Seasonal summary
Background
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, and ended on November 30. Thirteen tropical cyclones formed, all of which intensified into named storms. Five storms strengthened into hurricanes, four of which became major hurricanes, the highest percentage ever observed in an Atlantic hurricane season. In a post-season review by the NHC, they estimated that the individual strength of this season's storms was 50% harder to predict on average.
This season's ACE index was approximately 130.8 units, as officially calculated by the NHC. This number represents the sum of the squares of the maximum sustained wind speeds (measured in knots) for all named storms while they are at least tropical storm intensity, divided by 10,000.
Early-season activity
Tropical cyclogenesis in the Atlantic Ocean began on June 23 with the formation of Tropical Storm Andrea, three weeks after the official start of the season and three days later than the basin's average first named storm date. This marked the latest start to an Atlantic hurricane season since 2014, when Hurricane Arthur developed on July 1. Andrea remained over open waters in the central Atlantic. The second storm, Tropical Storm Barry, formed in the Bay of Campeche on June 28 and made landfall near Tampico the following day.
Early-season storm formation was limited by several factors. A sprawling North Atlantic High steered tropical waves emerging from West Africa farther south than usual, toward Central America and into the eastern Pacific Ocean. Persistent Saharan dust and the interaction of Kelvin and Rossby waves over the Americas contributed to a hostile environment for tropical development. The third storm, Tropical Storm Chantal, developed off the Atlantic coast of the Southeastern United States on July 4 and made landfall two days later in South Carolina. All three early-season storms were short-lived, lasting a combined 2.5 days as named storms, well below the 1991–2020 average of 9.1 days through August 2.
Peak-season activity
After nearly a month of inactivity, Tropical Storm Dexter developed along a stalled front off the North Carolina coast on August 3 before moving out to sea. Hurricane Erin formed near Cape Verde on August 11 and traversed the Atlantic, intensifying into a Category 5 hurricane near the northern Leeward Islands on August 16. It then brought rain, wind, and rip currents to Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, and the East Coast of the United States, while remaining off shore.
Shortly after Erin became extratropical, Tropical Storm Fernand formed in the open Atlantic, southeast of Bermuda. Wind shear along with dry air and stable atmospheric conditions inhibited tropical cyclogenesis during the first half of September, the climatological peak of hurricane season. This highly unusual, nearly three-week long inactive stretch came to an end with the formation of Hurricane Gabrielle on September 17, far to the east of the northern Leeward Islands. The only other season in the weather satellite era to have no named storm active between the end of August and mid-September was the 1992 season. Gabrielle approached Bermuda as a Category 4 hurricane, completed a right turn just southeast of the island, then moved toward the Azores.
On September 24, Hurricane Humberto formed in the central Atlantic. It ultimately became the second Category 5 hurricane of the season. To its west, Hurricane Imelda formed on September 27. On September 30, the centers of these two systems came within 465 mi (750 km) of each other, closer together than any other two storms in the Atlantic in the satellite era.
Late-season activity
On October 7, Tropical Storm Jerry formed in the tropical Atlantic, bringing heavy winds and rains to the Leeward Islands; then came short-lived Subtropical Storm Karen on October 10. Karen formed at 44.5°N, farther north than any other subtropical or tropical cyclone in the NHC database. Next, on October 13, Tropical Storm Lorenzo formed in the open Eastern Atlantic. Later, on October 21, Hurricane Melissa formed in the Caribbean Sea. It became the third Category 5 hurricane of the season, and the strongest Atlantic hurricane by maximum sustained winds, tying Hurricane Allen from the 1980 season. These three Category 5 systems are the second-most of any season after 2005, the only other season to have more than two Category 5 hurricanes.
Systems
Tropical Storm Andrea
On June 22, an area of low pressure developed east-southeast of Bermuda, along a decaying stationary front. Deep convection and organization increased, with a tropical depression forming at 06:00 UTC on June 23, about 490 mi (790 km) east of Bermuda. Andrea reached peak intensity of 40 mph (65 km/h) six hours later. Andrea existed in a high-pressure environment, leading to it having an above average central pressure, estimated through the Knaff-Zehr-Courtney relationship at 1014 mbar (29.9 inHg). Deep convection collapsed by 15:00 UTC on June 24. Three hours later, Andrea degenerated into an extratropical low roughly 700 mi (1,125 km) southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland, and completely dissipated by the next day, at 18:00 UTC on June 25.
Tropical Storm Barry
On June 28, a broad area of low pressure formed over the Yucatán Peninsula in association with a tropical wave. As the disturbance emerged into the Bay of Campeche, a well-defined surface circulation and deep convection began developing. This trend continued, resulting in the formation of Tropical Depression Two that afternoon. The system became Tropical Storm Barry on the morning of June 29, about 90 mi (145 km) east-southeast of Tuxpan, Veracruz, and soon peaked with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and minimum pressure of 1,006 mbar (29.7 inHg). The storm moved northwestward, steered by a stationary low-to-mid level ridge in the central Gulf. Its intensity increased little during this time, due to wind shear. Early on June 30, Barry weakened to a tropical depression and made landfall south of Tampico, Tamaulipas, with sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). Inland, Barry's low-level circulation soon dissipated over the mountains of northeastern Mexico.
The tropical wave that spawned Barry caused flooding and damage in Quintana Roo. Water levels reached from 16 to 39 in (40 to 100 cm) in some areas, while a maximum of 16.9 in (428 mm) of rain fell. In neighboring Chiapas, heavy rains triggered landslides, leaving communication links to several communities cut off. Heavy rain was also reported in Belize, where severe damage was reported to infrastructure with numerous buildings collapsing in rural communities. Flooding affected more than 20 communities as water levels rose at least 20 in (500 mm). In Veracruz, Veracruz, two people drowned after rough surf swept them out to sea in their car. Two young people drowned in Santa María del Río, San Luis Potosí, when the motorcycle on which they were riding was swept away by the current of a flooded river. Additionally, one person in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, drowned after his car was swept away by an overflowing sewage canal. Throughout Mexico, Barry caused more than US$5.64 million in damage. In West Texas, the remnant low of Barry caused flooding and minor property damage in two counties totaling US$225,000.