NOAA Expects Atlantic Hurricane Season to Be Below Normal Due to El Niño

This year’s season could produce between eight and 14 named tropical storms, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

This GOES-19 GeoColor satellite image taken on Sept. 30, 2025 and provided by NOAA, shows weather systems in the Atlantic Ocean, with Hurricane Imelda on the left, and Hurricane Humberto on the right. NOAA via AP

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting a below-normal hurricane season in the Atlantic basin this year, citing potential impacts from El Niño.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. According to the agency’s May 21 outlook, this year’s hurricane season has a 55 percent chance of being “below-normal,” a 35 percent chance of being “near-normal,” and a 10 percent chance of being “above-normal.”