HSB's New Ways of Thinking

In Part 3, Dr. Phil Klotzbach joins Jeff O'Shaughnessy to examine the risks that remain after a storm makes landfall. From Hurricane Helene's devastating inland flooding to Ida's impacts far from the coast, Phil explains why rain, flooding, and landslides can sometimes cause more damage than wind—and why they're so difficult to predict. Phil also offers an early look at the climate signals that could shape the 2027 hurricane season.

What does CSU's forecast say about the 2026 hurricane season? In Part 2, hurricane expert Dr. Phil Klotzbach joins Jeff O'Shaughnessy to unpack Colorado State University's outlook, the atmospheric and ocean conditions shaping the season, and the risks that matter most for insurers. From hurricane counts to landfall uncertainty, Phil explains what forecasters are watching and why impact matters more than activity alone. For insurers, the conversation offers valuable context on the risks that could define the 2026 season.

Dr. Phil Klotzbach, senior research scientist at Colorado State University and one of the nation's leading hurricane forecasters, returns to HSB's New Ways of Thinking to help make sense of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Despite concerns heading into the year and several periods of heightened activity, the season proved less impactful for insurers than many expected. Phil joins Jeff O'Shaughnessy to break down what actually happened, why the most damaging outcomes never fully materialized, and the atmospheric and oceanic factors that shaped the season.