The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will release its official forecast for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season during a news conference at 11 a.m. on Thursday.

The announcement comes just days before the season’s official kickoff on June 1.

Last month, Colorado State University issued its own forecast, calling for an above-average season. Based on decades of climate data, researchers there anticipate 17 named storms, including nine hurricanes—four of which could reach major hurricane status (Category 3 or higher).

Forecasters say unusually warm ocean waters could intensify storm development this year.

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(Image credit: LT CMDR Andrew Utama/NOAA Corps)

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