Colorado State University’s 2026 Hurricane Season Forecast shows that the 2026 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have somewhat below-normal activity. Current weak La Niña conditions are likely to transition to El Niño over the next few months, with the potential for a moderate-to-strong El Niño by the peak of hurricane season.
As with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Colorado State University’s 2026 Hurricane Season Forecast shows that the 2026 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have somewhat below-normal activity.
Current weak La Niña conditions are likely to transition to El Niño over the next few months, with the potential for a moderate-to-strong El Niño by the peak of hurricane season.
Sea surface temperatures in the western tropical Atlantic are warmer than normal, but slightly cooler than normal in the eastern and central tropical Atlantic.
They anticipate that El Niño will be the dominant factor in the upcoming hurricane season, driving increased vertical wind shear in the tropical Atlantic.
The report says experts are forecasting a below-average probability for major hurricane landfalls along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean.
As with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season.
Thorough preparations should be made every season, regardless of predicted activity.
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season was above normal, with 13 named storms, 5 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. Three hurricanes reached Category 5 intensity (Erin, Humberto, and Melissa).
