No Tropical Cyclones Yet in 2025
As of May 17, 2025, not a single tropical cyclone—whether a tropical storm, hurricane, typhoon, or cyclone—has formed in the entire Northern Hemisphere. This includes the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans north of the equator, marking an unusual quiet stretch for this point in the year.
Historical Context and Past Comparisons
Though striking, this dry spell is not without precedent. Similar patterns were observed in 1973, 1983, 1984, 1998, and just last year in 2024. According to Colorado State University meteorologist Phil Klotzbach, most of those years ended with below-average storm activity across the Northern Hemisphere. On average, 3.5 storms would have typically formed by now.
A Typically Quiet Time of Year
Klotzbach notes that it’s not uncommon for the Atlantic, eastern North Pacific, and North Indian Ocean to be quiet through mid-May. Usually, the western North Pacific is the main source of early storm activity. However, this year, even that region has been still.
Wind Patterns Behind the Silence
The lack of storms in the western Pacific is attributed to unusual wind conditions near the Philippines.
“This wind pattern creates anti-cyclonic flow, which is not supportive for storm formations,” Klotzbach explained to USA TODAY.
What This Means for the Season Ahead
Predicting the rest of the season remains difficult. “The average number of Northern Hemisphere named storms in a season is 62,” Klotzbach said. In previous years with a similar slow start, the total storm counts were:
1973 – 45
1983 – 51
1984 – 65
1998 – 53
2024 – 58
While four of those years had below-average totals, 2024 came close to the norm. Notably, 1973 set a record for the latest first storm, with Ava forming in the eastern North Pacific on June 2.
Southern Hemisphere Tells a Different Story
While the Northern Hemisphere has been unusually quiet, the Southern Hemisphere has seen significant activity. Since July 1, 2024, there have been 31 named storms—well above the average of 25 by mid-May. These storms include those that impact areas like Australia.
Forecast for the Rest of May
Meteorologist Ryan Maue has noted that while an early-season storm could still develop in the Eastern Pacific, models suggest a continued quiet pattern for the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico—now officially renamed the Gulf of America by the U.S. government.
Keep up with oceanic activity and storm potential with us on Que Onda Magazine.