ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be above average.

NOAA officials announced their 2025 Atlantic hurricane season forecast Thursday morning during a news conference at the Jefferson Parish Emergency Operations Center in Gretna, Louisiana.

The forecast expects 13-19 named storms. Of those storms, 6-10 will be hurricanes, and 3-5 storms are expected to be major hurricanes. A major hurricane is a Category 3 or higher, based on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

NOAA has a 70% confidence in these ranges.

This season is expected to be above normal due to warmer-than-average temperatures, ENSO-neutral conditions, and forecasts for weak wind shear. There is potential for higher activity from the West African Monsoon, which is where Atlantic hurricanes originate.

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"NOAA and the National Weather Service are using the most advanced weather models and cutting-edge hurricane tracking systems to provide Americans with real-time storm forecasts and warnings," Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said at the conference.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and runs until Nov.30. Based on past records, the historic peak of hurricane season is between mid-August and mid-October.

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season names for future storms have been released and are listed below:

On average, a typical hurricane season will produce 14 named storms. Seven of those named storms are hurricanes, and three of those storms are major hurricanes.

In 2024, NOAA predicted an above average Atlantic hurricane season, forecasting 8 to 13 hurricanes. NOAA also predicted that 4-7 of these storms would be major hurricanes. The 2024 season produced 11 hurricanes. Five strengthened into major hurricanes.

Acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm said the 2024 forecast was "right on the money," stating that the results fell within NOAA's predicted ranges.

Last year, five hurricanes made landfall in the continental United States, including Helene and Milton, which developed into major hurricanes.

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NOAA's National Weather Service Director Ken Graham reminded the public that it only takes one storm to generate life-changing impacts.

"This outlook is a call to action: be prepared," Graham said. "Take proactive steps now to make a plan and gather supplies to ensure you're ready before a storm threatens."