HURRICANE

July 13, 2025

Storm Season Forecast Slightly Dialed Back

Researchers lowered their Atlantic hurricane forecast to 16 named storms, 8 hurricanes and 3 major storms, citing slightly cooler sea temps.

MIAMI — While still anticipating above-normal hurricane activity through the end of November, Colorado State University researchers Wednesday trimmed their forecast for the Atlantic storm season.

The university’s models now project 16 named storms, with eight reaching hurricane status and three becoming major storms with winds of 111 mph or higher. An initial forecast in April and a June update projected 17 named storms, with nine becoming hurricanes and four classified as major storms.

The new numbers include three tropical storms — named Andrea, Barry and Chantal — that formed after the June 1 start of the season.

The Atlantic Ocean continues to be a cauldron for storms because of sea-surface temperatures that are warmer than normal, even if they are not as warm as they were last year, according to the university researchers.

An average season is considered 14 named storms, with seven hurricanes. The 2024 season produced 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes. Three hurricanes made landfall in Florida.

© 2025 The News Service of Florida. All rights reserved.


By Mike Nabers September 8, 2025
Life on Little Gasparilla Island has always been shaped by its natural beauty and resilience. This bridgeless barrier island, accessible only by boat or water taxi, is home to a mix of full-time residents, weekend retreats, family vacation homes, and short-term rentals. The balance of year-round locals and those seeking a Gulf getaway gives the island a unique, close-knit character. It has been almost a year since Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and through the hard work and community effort of island owners and residents, Little Gasparilla has made a great recovery. The beaches are beautiful, homes have been repaired, and the island’s Old Florida charm continues to shine.  📊 Current Inventory - Residential: 16 active listings - Vacant Land: 16 active listings 🏠 Residential Highlights - 3 New Listings added this month - 4 Homes Sold - 1 Pending Sale - 1 Withdrawal The activity underscores the appeal of turnkey island homes for both residents and investors, whether as primary residences, personal retreats, or income-producing vacation rentals. 🌴 Vacant Land Highlights - 2 New Listings in August - 1 Price Adjustment With 16 parcels available, buyers have the chance to create custom island homes — whether for year-round living, seasonal escapes, or rental income opportunities. 📈 Market Context Statewide housing trends show steady sales and moderating inventory, and on Little Gasparilla the story is one of resilience and appeal. Limited supply, lifestyle value, and strong interest in waterfront property continue to drive activity, making this market stable and attractive. 🌊 Final Takeaway August is traditionally a quieter time in real estate as families prepare for the beginning of school and summer vacations wind down, but the market remains steady. Little Gasparilla Island continues to prove its enduring strength — with its beautiful beaches, welcoming community, and resilient spirit keeping it one of Southwest Florida’s most special destinations. 📞 Call Captain Mike or visit island.realestate to explore properties from Palm Island to North Captiva including Boca Grande, Little Gasparilla, Cayo Costa, and Useppa.
By Mike Nabers September 8, 2025
August and September are traditionally the slowest months in Boca Grande, as many local businesses close and use this time to rest and reset before the busy winter season. With the summer heat still lingering, most winter residents aren’t expected back until conditions begin to cool, which adds to the quieter pace of the island this time of year. Still, the market continues to attract interest, and homes saw steady movement throughout August. This local trend is in line with the broader Florida housing market. According to Florida Realtors’ July statistics, closed sales of single-family homes statewide were up slightly year-over-year (around 3%), while condos and townhouses continued to lag behind with a nearly 12% decline. Median prices also reflected modest cooling, with single-family home prices down 1.7% from last July and condos down just over 6%. Importantly, mortgage rates have eased closer to 6.5%, giving some buyers a bit more room, though affordability remains the main challenge. Inventory has also been trending downward after peaking earlier in the year, providing sellers with a little more leverage in negotiations. 📍 Residential - 44 Active Listings - 9 New Listings - 7 Sold - 3 Pending - 7 Canceled - 3 Withdrawn - 3 Expired - 2 Temporarily Off-Market 🌴 Vacant Land - 7 Active Listings - 1 Canceled - 1 Expired  Even with late-summer slowdowns, Boca Grande continues to showcase a balanced mix of activity, from new listings coming online to steady closed sales. Buyers still have a variety of opportunities across residential and vacant land, while sellers can benefit from motivated end-of-summer demand. 👉 For the latest active listings and market data, visit https://island.realestate. 📞 Call Captain Mike or visit https://island.realestate to explore properties from Palm Island to North Captiva — including Boca Grande, Little Gasparilla, Cayo Costa, and Useppa.
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