The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season closed on November 30th with record-breaking activity. Totaling 13 named storms, five hurricanes, and four major hurricanes.
Data shows that storms like Erin, Humberto, and Melissa, due to their powerful winds, reached Category 5, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Melissa is considered the most powerful and destructive hurricane of the year, and historically the third worst recorded in the Atlantic, behind Gilberto (1988) and Wilma (2005).
Its passage through the Caribbean caused chaos, destruction, deaths, disappearances, flooding, loss of homes and many other assets, and forced thousands of evacuees in countries like Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti.
Melissa’s power is said to have produced a wind gust of 405 km/h (250 mph). Categorized by specialists as the most intense ever recorded in the Atlantic basin and the second strongest worldwide.
Various reports indicate that this year has the second-highest number of Category 5 hurricanes in a single season, surpassed only by 2005.
Among reputable meteorological forecasts, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted between 13 and 19 named storms (winds of 63 km/h (40 mph) or more for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Which runs from June 1st to November 30th.
Of these, it was predicted that between six and ten would become hurricanes (winds of 119 km/h or higher). Including between three and five major hurricanes (category 3, 4, or 5; with winds of 179 km/h or higher).
Ultimately, 13 formed, and of these, eight were tropical ciclones. One was a moderate hurricane, and four were intense hurricanes. Erin and Humberto reached winds of 257 km/h in August and September, respectively. While Melissa became a strong end to the season with sustained winds of 298 km/h.
Experts suggest that while a large number of storms did not form this year, the intensity of those that did occur was high.
Hurricanes
The first cyclone to form was Andrea, on June 23rd, and the season also saw 13 tropical depressions and an equal number of storms. The death toll in the region was 115, and material damages are estimated at over $6.56 billion, according to various sources.
In July, Tropical Storm Chantal affected the east coast of the United States, and in August, the powerful Hurricane Erin formed.
After a lull, cyclonic activity resumed in mid-September with Hurricane Gabrielle in the central Atlantic. Followed by Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda, which significantly impacted Bermuda.
Humberto and Imelda coincided in timing and their passage near Bermuda, coming within a short distance of each other. Also which drew attention, generated debate, and led to numerous publications on the Fujiwhara effect. This can occur when two storms get too close and begin to influence each other’s strength and trajectory.
In summary, the storms formed in 2025 are Andrea, Barry, Samantha, Dexter, Erin, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Fernand, and Melissa.
US media outlets highlight that this season will end without any significant hurricane impacts on land in the United States, for the first time in a decade.
Melissa’s Devastation
Melissa left more than fifty people dead in the Caribbean, mostly in Haiti, which was hit not by the direct impact of the storm, but by the rains, floods, and landslides. It also left dozens dead in Jamaica and one in the Dominican Republic, while there were no fatalities in Cuba.
According to Euronews, the hurricane underwent what scientists call extremely rapid intensification. Allowing it to sweep across the Caribbean with unprecedented force.
Experts believe the storm was fueled by warmer-than-average ocean Waters. A condition many attribute to human-caused climate change.
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