Researchers at Colorado State University have upped their forecast for this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, now projecting at least 25 named storms, with 12 of them expected to reach hurricane status.
“Hurricane Beryl, a deep tropical Category 5 hurricane, is also a likely harbinger of a hyperactive season,” said the team, led by Philip J. Klotzbach, CSU meteorologist and a nonresident fellow for the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).
The CSU team added, “Our confidence this year is higher than normal for a July forecast based on the strength and persistence of the current hurricane-favorable large-scale environmental conditions.
Of the 12 hurricanes, six are projected to reach at least Category 3, according to Klotzbach. In a Triple-I video, he noted this is “well above” the long-term average of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricanes.
“Normally, when you get early-season storm activity, it doesn’t really tell you a lot about what’s likely to happen the rest of the year. But when you get that storm activity in the deep tropics, or the Atlantic tropics or eastern Caribbean, as we saw with Beryl, that’s typically a sign of a hyperactive or extremely busy season,” said Klotzbach.
2024 Forecast
The CSU forecast indicated a 57% chance of a major hurricane (Category 3, 4 or 5) making landfall on the U.S. coastline, higher than the long-term average of 43%. For the East Coast, CSU predicted a 31% chance, while the Gulf Coast has a 38% chance of seeing major hurricane activity.
“Coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them. Thorough preparations should be made for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted,” CSU said.
Hurricane Beryl, which made U.S. landfall in Texas on July 8 as a Category 1 storm, shattered numerous records for hurricane development during its trek through the Caribbean. The storm is expected to be a “manageable” event for insurers. Modeling firm CoreLogic predicted insured losses due to wind and storm surges in Texas between $700 million and $1.5 billion, adding to the estimated losses in Mexico and the Caribbean of less than $1 billion.
CoreLogic’s numbers do not include National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) losses. In Houston, Beryl caused extensive flooding and widespread power outages that have left millions without electricity during a heat wave.
For additional risk management resources, contact INSURICA today.
This is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice. ©2024 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved
About the Author
Share This Story
Related Blogs
RxDC Reporting: What Employers Should Do Before the June 1 Deadline
Each year, group health plans must report detailed prescription drug and healthcare spending data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This reporting—commonly referred to as RxDC reporting—is due by June 1 and applies to most employer-sponsored group health plans that offer prescription drug coverage.
Chronic Condition Management 2.0: GLP-1 Alternatives and New Digital Therapeutics
Chronic conditions have long been the primary driver of employer healthcare spending, but 2026 marks a turning point in how organizations are approaching prevention, treatment, and long-term management. With GLP-1 medications dominating headlines — and budgets — employers are urgently exploring complementary or alternative strategies that can improve outcomes without unsustainable cost growth. The result is a new wave of digital therapeutics, metabolic health programs, and integrated care models that promise a more balanced approach to chronic disease management.
The Return-to-Office Reset: How Benefits Are Being Re-Engineered in 2026
After several years of experimentation, many employers are tightening hybrid schedules or requiring more in-office days. This “return-to-office reset” is reshaping benefits strategies as organizations look for ways to support commuting employees, improve onsite experience, and maintain flexibility. What began as a workplace policy shift is now driving a broader rethinking of how benefits can reinforce culture, productivity, and retention.