Hold onto your hats, because the 2025 hurricane season just took another turn! Tropical Storm Jerry has officially formed over the central Atlantic, marking the 10th named storm of the year. But here's where it gets interesting: while this season has been relatively quiet compared to predictions, Jerry’s arrival serves as a stark reminder that nature can still surprise us. Written by Emily Mae Czachor, a seasoned reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com, this update dives into the details of Jerry’s emergence and its potential impact.
Jerry materialized on Tuesday far from land, more than 1,030 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands. With maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and a west-northwest trajectory, the storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane within the next day or so. While it’s not currently projected to make landfall, its swells are likely to reach Caribbean islands like Barbuda, Anguilla, and Guadeloupe by Thursday, bringing life-threatening surf and rip currents. And this is the part most people miss: even without direct landfall, these storms can still cause significant damage, as evidenced by the recent collapse of coastal homes in North Carolina’s Outer Banks due to Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda.
Speaking of Humberto and Imelda, these earlier storms briefly raised concerns about Bermuda before Imelda grazed the island as a Category 2 hurricane. Their destructive surf also underscored the far-reaching impacts of these systems, even when they don’t directly hit populated areas. Jerry’s development follows a season that has largely defied expectations. Initially, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted up to 19 named storms, with as many as five becoming Category 5 hurricanes. However, by August, NOAA revised its forecast downward, now expecting 13 to 18 named storms. Despite this, only one storm—Chantal—has made landfall in the U.S. so far.
But here’s the controversial part: Is this quieter-than-expected season a sign of changing climate patterns, or simply a natural fluctuation? Some experts argue that warmer ocean temperatures should lead to more frequent and intense storms, yet this year’s activity seems to contradict that narrative. What do you think? Are we witnessing a temporary lull, or is there more to the story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
As Jerry continues its journey across the Atlantic, residents in the Caribbean are advised to stay vigilant and prepare for heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and dangerous surf. Emily Mae Czachor’s coverage highlights not just the immediate threats but also the broader implications of these storms in a world increasingly shaped by climate uncertainty. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
