The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued its forecast for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, predicting a below-normal number of named storms. This outlook comes one year after the devastating 2025 season, which was marked by catastrophic storms and widespread damage.
According to NOAA forecasters, the agency anticipates a quieter-than-average season, though specific numerical projections for named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes were not detailed in the report. The forecast is based on a combination of atmospheric and oceanic conditions that tend to suppress tropical cyclone formation in the Atlantic basin.
The 2026 hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with peak activity typically occurring between mid-August and late October. NOAA's outlook provides an early guide for emergency planners and coastal communities still recovering from the prior year's impacts.
If the below-normal prediction holds, it would mark a reprieve after the destructive 2025 season that caused billions in damages and prompted renewed debates about climate resilience. However, long-term trends show a gradual increase in hurricane intensity due to warming ocean temperatures, a counterpoint to the single-year forecast.
Despite the bullish seasonal outlook, forecasters caution that even a below-normal season can produce one or two landfalling storms that cause disproportionate harm. The agency continues to urge preparation and monitoring as the season approaches.