Officials are warning residents to complete hurricane preparations now, citing weakened satellite forecasting and shifting storm trends as the territory approaches the most active stretch of the 2025 season.
Speaking during Virgin Islands Voice, Director of Disaster Management Jason Penn confirmed that despite a slow start, the season remains classified as above average, with 16 named storms forecasted — 13 still to come, according to updated predictions from Colorado State University.
Three named storms — Andrew, Barry and Chantelle — have already developed, leaving 13 storms still projected. According to Penn, the slow start was due to a mix of Saharan dust, neutral El Niño conditions and cooler sea surface temperatures, all of which reduced storm development early in the season.
However, he warned those conditions are changing — just as the National Hurricane Center and U.S. Department of Defense have decommissioned several key satellites used to track storm formation overnight. Without that data, the risk of sudden, undetected intensification increases, especially during nighttime hours.
Deputy Premier Julian Fraser reinforced the urgency of preparation, emphasizing that past devastation was often the result of poor readiness rather than poor building design.
Fraser also recently represented the Virgin Islands at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, where he joined international leaders in discussing marine resilience and climate risk. He reminded residents that while the territory contributes on the world stage, local preparedness is what saves lives. Both officials closed with a call for action: review emergency plans, secure homes early, and do not rely on “slow season” trends. With less visibility in forecasting and weather systems already shifting northward, the public is urged to act while time allows.