June and July were just the warm-up; August is when hurricane season kicks into high gear. 

Through the end of July we have seen three named storms so far in 2025. Tropical Storm Andrea was the first, forming in late June before quickly dissipating far away from land. Tropical Storm Barry followed, bringing heavy rain to parts of Mexico during the final days of June. The strongest storm so far this season was Tropical Storm Chantal, with sustained winds briefly reaching 60 miles per hour before the storm made landfall on the Carolina coastline.

Historically, we have seen a sizable increase in the number of named storms as we transition to August. Going back to 1851, the month of July has averaged 1.03 named storms per year. That number jumps to 2.69 during August.

We also often see our first hurricane of the year in August. Since 1966, the first hurricane of the year has formed during August twenty-four times, which is more than any other month during that period. The average date for the first hurricane of the season is August 11th, which fits the trend of the tropics becoming more active as the month goes on. 

So why do we see an increase in storms during August? Let’s start with the water temperature. Warm ocean water helps to fuel these large storms, and sea surface temperatures begin to peak in August, allowing for the tropics to become more active. Additionally, the amount of dry air and wind shear (changing of wind speed or direction with height) decreases during this time of the year, meaning that budding tropical cyclones face fewer obstacles while trying to strengthen. 

The most frequent location for tropical cyclones to develop during August is in the central Atlantic Ocean, near the Tropic of Cancer, with the Caribbean Sea also being a hot spot for activity. 


NOAA has forecasted an above-average hurricane season in 2025, expecting anywhere between 13-19 total named storms, including 6-10 hurricanes. You can stay up-to-date with any tropical development by visiting the National Hurricane website here. The NHC posts daily updates on any potential tropical cyclones in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and is responsible for issuing warnings and advisories should any storm come close to land.