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Hurricane season in Florida officially begins on June 1st and continues through November 30th each year. While storms can bring unpredictability, being prepared at home and having a solid plan in place is one of the most powerful steps you can take to protect your family and property.
This guide outlines key information for the 2025 hurricane season and emphasizes the importance of proactive home protection.
We’re Not Here to Alarm — We’re Here to Empower
At Foster Windows & Doors, we’re not in the business of creating fear. Our mission is to ensure that every Florida homeowner feels confident and capable during storm season — less reliant on government aid, and more protected with the right tools and resources in place.
With over 70 years of experience helping Florida families prepare, we know what it takes to secure your home — and we’re here to make sure you have everything you need.
There’s Still Time to Prepare
Hurricane season may be approaching, but there’s still time to act. Whether you need impact-rated windows, storm doors, or a quick consultation on your home’s vulnerabilities, our team is ready to help.
Protect what matters most.
Be ready before the storms arrive.
Contact Foster Windows & Doors today to get started.
Get ready — there are fewer than 50 days before the start of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
Last year’s season’s activity was above the historical average, with Florida taking some big hits from three hurricanes. Two of them were considered major hurricanes by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Here’s a look at what we know so far and how to prepare for the upcoming 2025 hurricane season in Florida.
When is hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Tropical activity picks up between mid-August and mid-October, with the season’s peak occurring Sept. 10.
The Atlantic basin includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of America, formerly the Gulf of Mexico.
2025 Atlantic hurricane season: What are this year’s names?
Here are the names for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, along with how to pronounce them:
- Andrea: AN-dree uh
- Barry: BAIR-ree
- Chantal: shahn-TAHL
- Dexter: DEHK-ster
- Erin: AIR-rin
- Fernand: fair-NAHN
- Gabrielle: ga-bree-ELL
- Humberto: oom-BAIR-toh
- Imelda: ee-MEHL-dah
- Jerry: JEHR-ee
- Karen: KAIR-ren
- Lorenzo: loh-REN-zoh
- Melissa: meh-LIH-suh
- Nestor: NES-tor
- Olga: OAL-guh
- Pablo: PAHB-lo
- Rebekah: reh-BEH-kuh
- Sebastien: se-BAS-tee-en
- Tanya: TAHN-yuh
- Van: van
- Wendy: WEN-dee
What if we run out of hurricane names in 2025?
If all 21 names on the list for that year are used, names from a supplemental list are used.
The supplemental list, also approved by the WMO, replaced the use of names using the Greek alphabet in 2021. Forecasters have used the Greek alphabet twice, in 2005 and 2020.
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In 2005, six names from the Greek alphabet were used. In 2020, with its record 30 named storms, nine names from the Greek alphabet were used.
For Atlantic storms, the supplemental list of names is:
- Adria
- Braylen
- Caridad
- Deshawn
- Emery
- Foster
- Gemma
- Heath
- Isla
- Jacobus
- Kenzie
- Lucio
- Makayla
- Nolan
- Orlanda
- Pax
- Ronin
- Sophie
- Tayshaun
- Viviana
- Will
What are the categories for hurricanes?
The Saffir-Simpson wind scale is used to rate hurricane strength. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1-to-5 rating scale based on a hurricane’s sustained wind speed. It was developed in 1971 by civil engineer Herbert Saffir and meteorologist Robert Simpson and introduced to the public in 1973, according to the NWS.
According to NOAA, the scale does not take into account other hazards such as storm surge, rainfall, flooding and tornadoes.
While all hurricanes produce life-threatening winds, NOAA also states that hurricanes rated Category 3 and higher are known as major hurricanes.
Here are the different hurricane categories and their impacts:
Category 1 hurricane: Wind speed and damage expected
- Wind speed: 74-95 mph
- Impact: Very dangerous winds will produce some damage. Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles will likely result in power outages that could last a few to several days.
Category 2 hurricane: Wind speed and damage expected
- Wind speed: 96-110 mph
- Impact: Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage. Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks.
Category 3 hurricane: Wind speed and damage expected
- Wind speed: 111-129 mph. Considered a major hurricane.
- Impact: Devastating damage will occur. Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.
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Category 4 hurricane: Wind speed and damage expected
- Wind speed: 130-156 mph. Considered a major hurricane.
- Impact: Catastrophic damage will occur. Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted, and power poles will be downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
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Category 5 hurricane: Wind speed and damage expected
- Wind speed: 157 mph or higher. Considered a major hurricane.
- Impact: Catastrophic damage will occur. A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Is there a Category 6 hurricane?
There are no Category 6 hurricanes, though there is some debate as to whether another category should be added to the scale.
The reason a sixth hurricane category doesn’t exist is that it isn’t needed. A Category 5 hurricane is generally so strong, the amount of damage caused would be nearly indistinguishable from a stronger storm.
Secure your home and prepare for any season. Explore our range of durable, high-quality doors and the best impact windows in Fort Lauderdale. Contact us today at 954-566-6524. Get more inspiration from our community via Instagram here.
