Why 2025 Hurricane Season Could Be More Active Than Normal

Image: Depiction of a powerful hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Miodrag (photo generated using AI))
Image: Depiction of a powerful hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Miodrag (photo generated using AI))
Noreen Kompanik
by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 1:35 PM ET, Mon May 19, 2025

UPDATED: May 19, 2025 at 1:35 p.m.


The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico issued their own advisory for travelers heading to both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Mexico from May through November on May 16, noting that hurricanes may occur along both of the country's coastlines in destinations like Los Cabos and Cancun. 

"Hurricanes and tropical storms can cause life-threatening flash floods, dangerous winds, treacherous surf and rip currents, and other hazardous conditions," it explained. "Torrential rain from these storms can cause flooding hundreds of miles inland, sometimes lasting several days after the storm dissipates. Minor storms can quickly become hurricanes, limiting the time to get out." 

It encourages travelers to monitor the weather through the National Hurricane Center, to purchase travel insurance, keep their travel documents up-to-date and to monitor local weather throughout their trip. 


Summer travelers, be aware.

According to Squaremouth, the nation’s largest travel insurance comparison service, this year’s hurricane season is predicted to be one of the worst on record.

Combined with FEMA scaling back key emergency training programs and the aviation industry’s struggles with delays and disruptions, there’s never been a better time to have travel insurance when things go wrong.

2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast

The Tropical Cyclones, Radar, Atmospheric Modeling, and Software Team at Colorado State University is forecasting 17 named storms this coming season, which runs from June 1 through November 30, 2025.

The projection includes nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes. That shakes out to approximately 85 named storm days, 35 hurricane days and nine major hurricane days, respectively.

For perspective, the average from 1991 to 2020 is 14.4 named storms, 7.2 hurricanes and 3.2 major hurricanes.

"We anticipate that the 2025 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have above-normal activity," officials at CSU said. "Current La Niña conditions are likely to transition to ENSO neutral conditions in the next couple of months; however, there remains considerable uncertainty as to what the phase of ENSO will be this summer and fall."

"A warmer-than-normal tropical Atlantic combined with likely ENSO neutral (or potential La Niña) conditions typically provides a more conducive dynamic and thermodynamic environment for hurricane formation and intensification. We anticipate an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean."

Travel Insurance Is In-Demand

Squaremouth reported a 58 percent year-over-year increase in the number of travelers searching specifically for Hurricane & Weather coverage leading up to their summer trips. These travelers are buying travel insurance roughly 3.5 months ahead of their trip.

"After an active season in 2024, travelers are more attuned to hurricane coverage this year, and they're getting it as soon as possible, said Ned Tadic, Manager of Public Relations at Squaremouth in a statement. "Hurricane-conscious travelers are securing insurance, on average, 109 days in advance, compared to just 65 days for typical trips."

According to Squaremouth, travel insurance must be purchased before a storm is named. Once a storm becomes public knowledge, it's considered a "foreseeable event" and no longer eligible for coverage. If you're traveling between June 1 and November 30, buy travel insurance as soon as you book your trip to ensure you're covered if a hurricane disrupts your trip.


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