Researchers at Colorado State University updated their 2025 Atlantic hurricane season forecast Wednesday morning, calling for above normal activity. The initial forecast released in early April also predicted above normal activity.

The updated forecast still calls for 17 named storms this season. Of those 17 storms, 9 are expected to become hurricanes and 4 are expected to reach major hurricane strength.

These numbers match what CSU released in early April. The researchers cite relatively warm Atlantic and likely absence of El Niño being primary factors in the hurricane prediction this year.

"An analysis of a variety of different atmosphere and ocean measurements (through May) which are known to have long-period statistical relationships with the upcoming season's Atlantic tropical cyclone activity, as well as output from dynamical models, indicate that 2025 will have above-average activity," the CSU report states.

CSU researchers state that the biggest question marks with this season’s prediction is if the anomalous warmth in the Atlantic and Caribbean persists or if the pattern changes.

There is also uncertainty whether there will be weak La Niña conditions or neutral conditions, although, El Niño conditions seem unlikely.

Here is the list of names being used for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, last used in 2019. Dexter is the only new name on the list after Dorian was retired for causing extensive death and destruction in the Bahamas, Southeast U.S. and eastern Canada.

The CSU forecast matches NOAA's hurricane season forecast, which also calls for above normal activity. You can track the latest activity in the tropics here.

Colorado State will issue forecast more updates to its seasonal predictions on July 9 and Aug. 6 of this year.

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