World’s Top 10 Extreme Weather Events in 2025

There were 10 extreme weather events will go down in history as the most impactful, record-setting storms of the year globally, according to forecasters.

According to AccuWeather, seven major weather disasters in the U.S. resulted in $378 billion to $424 billion in total damage and economic loss this year.

AccuWeather listed 10 events that made 2025’s weather memorable.

Los Angeles Wildfires

Winds from 80-100 mph fueled fast-moving wildfires that destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in Southern California in early January.

AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss from the wildfires at $250 billion to $275 billion. According to Swiss Re, the L.A. wildfires produced the costliest wildfire event globally with insured losses of $40 billion.

Gulf Coast Winter Storm

An unusual winter storm brought snow, ice and freezing temperatures to much of the Gulf Coast starting on Jan 20.

Total snowfall records were set in New Orleans; Mobile, Alabama; and Pensacola, Florida. AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss from the historic Gulf Coast winter storm at $14 billion to $17 billion.

Bomb Cyclone Hits UK and Ireland

A bomb cyclone hit parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland in late January, with wind gusts above 100 mph reported. A preliminary new wind record of 114 mph was reported in Ireland

The storm left more than 715,000 customers in Ireland without power.

Global Sea Ice

The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported a new record low level of global sea ice in February.

Scientists attributed the record low levels to an Arctic heat wave in February, limiting the normal growth of ice that month.

Wind Records

Many U.S. cities east of the Rockies reported their windiest March on record.

Winds peaked on March 14, when extreme winds led to destructive fires, sun-blocking dust storms and several pileup crashes in the central U.S.

There were 124 high wind watches and 164 high wind warnings issued across the country during the month of March, setting new records.

E5 Tornado

The first E5 tornado in the U.S. in 12 years was struck near Enderlin, North Dakota, on June 20.

The mile-wide tornado had peak winds estimated over 210 mph. The tornado was one of two dozen tornadoes and a derecho reported that night.

Record Heat

A powerful heat wave brought record temperatures from the Rockies to New England.

More than 3,000 daily record-high temperatures were set between June 19 and June 25.

Flash Floods in Texas

Torrential rainfall over the July 4 holiday triggered flash floods that swept through campsites along the Guadeloupe River in Texas. A river gauge on the Guadalupe near Hunt, Texas, rose nearly 30 feet in six hours, peaking at a record level of 37.52 feet.

AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss from the Texas Hill Country flash floods at $18 billion to $22 billion.

Hurricane Melissa

A 252-mph wind gust measured in Hurricane Melissa set a record for the highest wind speed reported by a dropsonde (a weather instrument released by Hurricane Hunter aircraft).

Melissa was the only Category 5 hurricane to strike Jamaica in recorded history.

Related: A Claims Professional’s View From the Ground in Melissa’s Aftermath

AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss from Hurricane Melissa across the Caribbean at $48 billion to $52 billion.

No US Hurricane Landfall

Tropical Storm Chantal was the only named storm to make landfall in the U.S. in 2025.

Three of the five hurricanes that formed in the Atlantic basin intensified into powerful Category 5 hurricanes.

Related: The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season: Rapidly Intensifying Storms Between Long Lulls

AccuWeather say a rare ‘Fujiwhara Effect’ between Hurricane Humberto and Imelda likely spared the southeastern U.S. from a flooding disaster in September.