2025 Hurricane Season Map Shows Where Florida Could Get Hit Hardest

Florida is one of the states facing a heightened risk of direct impacts from hurricanes this year, and one side of the state is more at risk than the other.

Why It Matters

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. On Wednesday, AccuWeather released its 2025 hurricane forecast.

AccuWeather is one of the first meteorological agencies to issue a hurricane forecast this year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) typically releases its forecast in May, and Colorado State University meteorologists release their forecast in April.

What to Know

This year, AccuWeather is predicting 13 to 18 named storms, with seven to 10 strengthening into hurricanes.

Of those storms, three to six could be a direct hit to the U.S. In its forecast, AccuWeather warned that Texas, Louisiana, Florida and North Carolina face a higher risk of direct impacts this year than other states. AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva told Newsweek that the direct storm hits could be spread across those states.

"It doesn't appear any of them are more vulnerable than the other," he said.

However, when it comes to Florida, AccuWeather meteorologists found that one side of the state is more at risk of direct impacts than the other.

This year, western Florida is at an increased risk of hurricanes. Meteorologists examined 12 analog years, or years with similar weather patterns as the coming season, and identified where the storms struck during those years.

Of the years examined, four hurricanes hit Florida's western coast. Nine tropical storms hit the state's panhandle or the western coast during those years. Meanwhile, three tropical storms hit the state's east coast.

This coming year, AccuWeather highlighted Florida's west coast from the Big Bend region south along the western coast faces a higher risk of a direct storm impact from hurricanes.

Eastern Florida has been quiet in recent years when it comes to hurricane landfall. Despite this, DaSilva urges everyone to be aware when it comes to tropical storm and hurricane impacts, regardless of where they live in the Sunshine State.

Areas also can be impacted by a storm even if they're miles away from landfall. For example, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region last September, but devastating impacts stretched into Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

What People Are Saying

DaSilva told Newsweek: "A bunch of the west coast of Florida could potentially get hit here. That could happen early in the season. We are concerned about early season development."

He added: "Climatology tells us western Florida is at risk early in the season, and up into the Carolinas."

What Happens Next

More hurricane forecasts are likely to be made in the months before hurricane season officially begins on June 1. There is also the chance a named storm could develop before the season officially begins, AccuWeather warned.