Why the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season was unlike any in the past decade

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season officially concludes on Nov. 30. Although forecasters initially predicted an above-average season, it ended up being closer to an average season, and none of the five hurricanes that formed made landfall in the continental United States for the first time in a decade.

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season was an above-normal season based on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s definition, with a near-average number of named storms, a below-average number of hurricanes and an above-average number of major hurricanes. The seasonal forecasts for ACE (Accumulated Cyclone Energy, used to measure total activity and power) verified well, while some other parameters were over- or under-forecast, given the unusual distribution of storms this year. The season’s most significant hurricane was Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane in Jamaica. The warm Atlantic combined with cool neutral ENSO/weak La Niña led to somewhat hurricane-favorable conditions in 2025, although with a marked peak season lull in activity.

The Atlantic basin produced 13 named storms, of which five became hurricanes, including four major hurricanes with winds reaching 111 mph or greater. An average season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.

Where did storms track this season?

Of the 13 named storms this season, one of these, Tropical Storm Chantal, came ashore near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, in July, bringing some heavy rainfall, flash floods that knocked out power, damaged buildings and caused at least six fatalities.

September and October saw four hurricanes alone, with the last one, Hurricane Melissa, striking Jamaica as one of the strongest on record.

Why didn't any hurricanes make landfall in the U.S.?

For the first time in a decade, every state went through the entire hurricane season without experiencing a direct hit from a hurricane. A season without a hurricane landfall in the United States is fairly uncommon but not unheard of. In the last 25 years, there were seven years in which no hurricane made landfall in the United States.

A push of low-pressure air over the continental United States remained in place for most of the season. This trough sat over the U.S. during the peak of the season from August through October.

“It's the first time since 2015 that we haven't had any hurricanes hit the U.S. in a season. Part of the reason for this lack of landfall was an anomalous trough (area of low pressure) along the U.S. Southeast coast that persisted for several weeks during the peak of the season. This helped recurve any storms to the northeast that were trying to track toward the U.S. Also, this area of low pressure increased vertical wind shear in the southeast U.S., providing an effective barrier against hurricane landfalls,” said Phil Klotzbach, PhD, a senior research scientist at the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University

Instruments used in forecasting this season

In the 2025 hurricane season, noted for one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes observed by scientists, NOAA measurements broke records using uncrewed air and ocean observing systems. NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, or OAR, also advanced experimental forecast models and storm surge tools that will improve future forecasts and warnings to save lives and decrease economic impacts.

SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University; National Hurricane Center; NOAA