NOAA Warns of Brutal Atlantic Hurricane Season, as Trump Slashes the Agency

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season today, predicting “above-normal” storm activity. The news comes amid concerns that sweeping staff cuts and policy shifts may impact the agency’s preparedness. A total of 13 to 19 named storms could form in the Atlantic basin this year, Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), said during the Thursday news briefing in Gretna, Louisiana. Of those, six to 10 are expected to strengthen into hurricanes, and three to five could become “major” hurricanes—Category 3, 4, or 5. If this forecast comes to fruition, it would mark the ninth consecutive year of above-average storm activity in the Atlantic basin, primarily driven by rising ocean temperatures. Last year, the season saw 18 named storms, 11 of which were hurricanes. Five intensified to major hurricanes, including Category 4 Helene and Category 5 Milton, which made landfall in the U.S. within two ... Read full article.