The Calm Before the Storm? Hurricane Forecasters Say Don't Be Fooled

Atlantic waters sit unusually quiet for mid-June. No storms spinning, no tropical waves looking threatening, no weather maps painted with ominous reds and oranges. It's the kind of peaceful hurricane season start that might make coastal residents think they caught a break this year.

Colorado State University's hurricane team has other ideas. Their latest forecast update, released this week, doubles down on predictions for a busy season ahead—17 named storms, nine hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. That's about 125% of a typical season's activity.

The forecast hasn't budged since April, despite the current quiet spell. Lead researcher Phil Klotzbach and his team see similarities between 2025 and previous active years like 1996, 1999, 2008, 2011, and 2021. None of those comparisons should comfort anyone living along the coast.

Numbers That Matter