This year’s Atlantic hurricane season will be more active than normal, with the possible formation of up to 10 hurricanes and between 13 and 19 named storms, according to the official National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecast released Thursday.
The report was presented from Louisiana as part of the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history, with more than 1,390 fatalities.
High risk season
NOAA estimates that by 2025, the world will see the formation of:
13 to 19 named tropical storms (with sustained winds of at least 62 km/h)
6 to 10 hurricanes
3 to 5 major hurricanes, category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale
According to Ken Graham, director of the National Weather Service (NWS), there is a 60 percent chance that this season will be above historical average, a 30 percent chance that it will be normal and only a 10 percent chance that it will be below normal.
Hurricanes that could form this year include the names Andres, Barry, Chantal, Dexter, Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, among others.
Ocean heat: a key factor
One of the main factors for this increased activity is the warming of the Atlantic waters.
Graham explained that higher ocean temperatures are directly related to increased cyclone formation.
“The warmer ocean temperatures are really consistent with being in a more active season,” the official said.
Concern is heightened by the fact that 2024 already saw a strong season, with 18 named storms and 11 hurricanes, five of which directly impacted the US, including Hurricane Helene, which caused more than 200 deaths in states such as Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.
Budget cuts cause alarm
Buzzy
The forecast was revealed just hours after the House of Representatives passed the new federal budget pushed by President Donald Trump.
The budget includes 30% cuts to NOAA funding and a $646 million reduction to the budget of FEMA, the U.S. emergency management agency.
In addition, since March, 1,000 positions have been requested to be eliminated at NOAA, representing 20% of its workforce.
Are you ready to respond?
In response to press concerns about these cuts, Laura Grimm, NOAA’s acting administrator, assured that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is currently operating with full staff and that the agency is “prepared” to protect human lives.
Nuestra prioridad es la predicción climática y proteger vidas. Definitivamente estamos listos para comenzar la temporada
Laura Grimm
Many Hispanics reside in states highly vulnerable to hurricanes, such as Florida, Texas, Louisiana and North Carolina.
Early information, family emergency plans and access to Spanish-language alerts can make all the difference during an extreme weather event.
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