Here’s a first look at how busy hurricane activity could be in the eastern Pacific
The hurricane season in the eastern Pacific begins on May 15, 2025, while the season in the central Pacific beings on June 1, 2025. The first named storm of the eastern Pacific season will be Alvin, followed by Barbara, Cosme and Dalila. A worldwide period of tropical cyclone inactivity and an approaching La Nina caused the eastern Pacific to be less active in 2024 and only produced 13 total storms.
Colorado State University releases 2025 Atlantic hurricane season outlook_copy
FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross discusses the first outlook issued for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which was released Thursday morning by forecasters at Colorado State University. The CSU team is calling for 17 named storms, nine of which are expected to become hurricanes. Four of those hurricanes could reach major status, with winds of at least 111 mph (Category 3 or higher).
If the latest tropical weather seasonal outlooks prove accurate, both the eastern Pacific and Atlantic basins could see above-average tropical cyclone activity during the 2025 hurricane season.
Meteorologists with the Mexican government are predicting 18 named storms in the eastern Pacific this year, with ten expected to become hurricanes and four reaching major hurricane status - defined as Category 3 or higher.
The activity would mark a busier-than-usual season for the region, where an average year typically produces about 15 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes.
Forecasters said this year’s outlook is largely influenced by the status of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, which is expected to remain in a neutral phase for much of the season.
A neutral state of the ENSO can allow for various levels of activity, with other contributing climate factors playing a significant role in tropical cyclone formation.
What remains unclear is how many of the predicted tropical cyclones will significantly impact the Mexican coastline.
Mexican meteorologists warn that with a higher storm frequency comes a greater chance that at least some of the systems will affect coastal communities.
2025 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON BRINGS ELEVATED RISK OF MAJOR LANDFALLS, EXPERTS PREDICT
In the Atlantic basin, Colorado State University’s latest outlook calls for 17 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes during the 2025 season.
Forecasters at CSU noted an increased probability of landfalls in the Caribbean, which could place parts of Mexico’s eastern coastline at greater risk as the season unfolds.
While no tropical development is expected on the horizon over the next couple of weeks, experts caution against placing too much emphasis on early-season activity.
The formation of storms in June or July does not necessarily indicate how the season will unfold, and residents across all coastal zones should prepare for the worst before a season begins.
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season outlook issued by Colorado State University on Thursday, April 3, 2025.
(FOX Weather)
2025 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON GUIDE: HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE TROPICS THIS YEAR
Here’s what happened during the 2024 season
If the 2025 hurricane season unfolds as predicted, there will be significantly more activity than during the 2024 season.
By comparison, the 2024 season saw just 13 named storms, four hurricanes and three major hurricanes, in what was widely considered a below-average year for tropical cyclone activity.
The season was also one of the slowest starts on record, with the first named storm not forming until July.
Forecasters say the quiet start was likely due to a combination of suppressed global tropical cyclone activity and the transition toward La Niña conditions, which can reduce storm formation in the eastern Pacific.
Despite the slow start, several storms in 2024 impacted the western coast of Mexico and the Hawaiian Islands.
2024 Pacific Hurricane Season Map
(NOAA)
The most powerful was Hurricane John, which made landfall as a major hurricane in September and caused devastating flooding in parts of southern Mexico.
Due to the extensive damage, members of the World Meteorological Organization voted to retire the name "John" during its annual spring meeting.
The name will be replaced by "Jake" when the cyclone name list is used again in 2030.
While 2024 was quieter than average in terms of cyclone formations, the season still ranked among the top five costliest in modern history.
List of names for the 2025 hurricane season in the eastern Pacific
The first named storm of the eastern Pacific season will be Alvin, followed by Barbara, Cosme and Dalila. The naming list is one of six managed by the World Meteorological Organization and was last used in 2019.
Here are the 2025 tropical cyclone names:
- Alvin
- Barbara
- Cosme
- Dalila
- Erick
- Flossie
- Gil
- Henriette
- Ivo
- Juliette
- Kiko
- Lorena
- Mario
- Narda
- Octave
- Priscilla
- Raymond
- Sonia
- Tico
- Velma
- Wallis
- Xina
- York
- Zelda
Hurricane names Dora and Otis retired
The WMO voted to retire North Eastern Pacific hurricane names Dora and Otis. For the first time since 2014, the committee did not retire any Atlantic names.