The Bermuda Weather Service has urged the public to stay prepared and informed as the 2025 hurricane season begins to pick up steam.

Michelle Pitcher, meteorologist with the BWS, said the body was keeping a close watch on the tropics as warm waters provide ample fuel for storm development.

“So far this season is close to average development-wise as the first hurricane normally forms around August 11,” she said.

“The sea-surface temperature anomaly chart shows that the tropical Atlantic is 1C to 3C above normal and the sea-surface temperature doesn't fall under 26C, the ideal temperature to support tropical cyclones, until you reach the part of the Gulf Stream that passes well to our north.

“So there is plenty of fuel to support development.”

Ms Pitcher said that the US-based National Hurricane Centre is expected to release an updated seasonal forecast in the coming days — but those who have been following the tropical weather outlook would have noticed the increase in activity.

“It would be a good time for everyone to review their plans and supplies once again as the height of hurricane season for Bermuda is September and October, though in the past few years we have seen an increase in August impacts,” she said.

“Like we saw last year with Hurricane Ernesto, it only takes one storm to disrupt our daily lives and make it a busy season for Bermuda.”

Ms Pitcher said the BWS keeps a close eye on any tropical developments with the potential to impact the island and was prepared for any storm that might come.

“Nonperishable food and water is stocked in our office as staff that are scheduled to work before, during and after a storm need to sleep at the weather office as conditions would not be safe for travel for shift changes,” she said.

“BWS management also stays at the office to assist duty staff, inform the EMO on the latest information and to make any necessary critical decisions needed for operations.”

Ms Pitcher urged the public to visit the BWS website, weather.bm, for the latest forecasts, noting that the service provides updated more frequently or at different times based on local impacts of storms.

She added: “Right now we are in the process of gathering feedback on our website and would be grateful if people filled out the survey on our homepage.

“Please click on 'Redesign Feedback' on the left hand side of our webpage to let us know what you would like to see in the future.”

As of yesterday afternoon, the NHC was still tracking Tropical Storm Dexter, which passed to the island’s north this week and continued to drift away from Bermuda.

While the storm picked up strength yesterday, the system is expected to weaken into a “powerful extratropical cyclone” by Friday.

Tropical Storm Dexter is the fourth named storm of the year, with forecasters predicting between 13 and 19 named storms before the end of the season on November 30.

Yesterday, the NHC was also monitoring two areas of possible development in the Atlantic.

The first of the two systems, off the coast of the southeastern United States, was given a 30 per cent chance of becoming a named storm within the next week.

“This system is forecast to drift northward over the next day or two before turning northeastward,” the NHC said.

“Environmental conditions now only appear marginally favourable for tropical development into early next week as the system moves northeastward, remaining offshore of the eastern United States.”

The second system, in the central tropical Atlantic, was given a 60 per cent chance of becoming a named storm in the next week.

“Environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for gradual development during the next few days, and a tropical depression could form late this week or over the weekend as the system moves generally west-northwestward to northwestward across the central tropical and subtropical Atlantic,” the NHC said.