The nation's top weather agency, where federal job cuts and staffing shortages are stretching forecast resources thin, is predicting 13 to 19 named storms in its 2025 hurricane season outlook released Thursday.

NOAA is forecasting as many as 19 tropical storms this year, including six to 10 hurricanes. Half of those hurricanes could reach “major” strength.

This year, the United States is facing the upcoming hurricane season with an understaffed National Weather Service — including more than a dozen vacancies in Florida meteorology offices — and confusion within the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has moved to cut pre- and post-storm aid to local governments.