The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, aka NOAA, is predicting an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season this year.
According to NOAA’s season prediction, which was released May 22, warmer-than-average ocean temperatures are one factor that could contribute to the season’s heightened activity.
NOAA predicts a 30% chance of a near-normal season, a 60% chance of an above-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season from June 1 to Nov. 30. The administration said it has 70% confidence in those ranges.
More: When is hurricane season 2025? And how to prepare for it in New Jersey.
“NOAA and the National Weather Service are using the most advanced weather models and cutting-edge hurricane tracking systems to provide Americans with real-time storm forecasts and warnings,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in a press release from NOAA.
“With these models and forecasting tools, we have never been more prepared for hurricane season.”
NOAA’s storm predictions for 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Here’s a breakdown of NOAA’s hurricane predictions:
Total named storms (winds 39 mph or higher) — 13 to 19.
Of those:
Hurricanes (winds 74 mph or higher) — 6 to 10.
Including:
Major hurricanes (winds 111 mph or higher, category 3, 4 or 5) — three to five.
NOAA listed factors such as warm ocean temperatures, the potential for higher activity from the West African Monsoon, forecasted weak wind shears and continued “ENSO-neutral conditions” as reasons for their prediction.
2025 Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Names
Here is the alphabetical list for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season:
Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@gannett.com. And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: NOAA releases prediction, says above-normal hurricane season likely