Unusually Quiet: 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Starts with a Whimper

Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has kicked off to a notably slow start, defying early forecasts that called for an above-average year. As of mid-July, only three named storms—Tropical Storms Andrea, Barry, and Chantal—have formed. All were relatively short-lived and modest in strength, marking one of the slowest starts since 2014.

Despite the quiet beginning, experts warn against complacency.

“This isn’t over—it’s just the calm before the storm,” cautions meteorologist Jeff Masters in Yale Climate Connections. He notes that 2023 followed a similar pattern, starting slow before unleashing a hyperactive August and September. The same could still happen in 2025.

A key metric, the Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) index—used to measure storm strength and duration—is trailing far below normal. As of July 6, the ACE stood at just 1.5 units, compared to an average of 12+ units by this time in the season.

Here’s a quick look at the three named storms so far:

• Tropical Storm Andrea (June 24–25): Formed far northeast of the Caribbean and lasted less than 24 hours. No damage or casualties reported.
• Tropical Storm Barry (June 28–30): Made landfall in Tampico, Mexico after forming in the Bay of Campeche. At least five people died in flood-related incidents across Mexico. Flooding also severely impacted rural Belize. Estimated damages: US$1.87 million.
• Tropical Storm Chantal (July 4–7): Came ashore in South Carolina with gusts up to 60 mph. Flash flooding affected parts of the Carolinas. In North Carolina, six people died due to flooding and river surges. Dozens of water rescues were conducted.

Scientists say the slow start is due to strong Saharan dust, suppressed tropical waves, and atmospheric interactions that limited cyclogenesis in June and early July.

The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, often vulnerable in mid-summer, have remained unscathed. But with peak hurricane season still ahead, meteorologists warn that warm sea surface temperatures and fading El Niño conditions could supercharge storms in the coming weeks.

“Preparedness is still key,” the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology reminds. “A slow start doesn’t mean a quiet finish.”

The next listed storm name is Dexter. It is the first time this name is being used.

CAPTION: Photo by Daniel Jay Writz/Facebook