Hurricane season 2026 forecast calls for above-average activity as global ocean temperatures rise to record levels.
MIAMI, FL – A newly published long-range outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicates that the upcoming hurricane season 2026 will likely see 18 to 22 named storms, with eight to ten of those developing into hurricanes. WHY: Climatologists attribute the elevated forecast to sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic main development region that have reached 1.5 degrees Celsius above the 30-year baseline. WHAT: The prediction covers the official six-month period beginning June 1, 2026, and specifically warns of an above-normal probability for major landfall events along the Gulf Coast and the Eastern Seaboard. WHEN: The crucial assessment was released at 1000 hours Eastern Daylight Time this morning. WHERE: The forecast was presented in a formal briefing held at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida. WHO: Dr. Keisha Reynolds, the acting director of the Climate Prediction Center, stated, "We are entering a heightened risk window, and we urge all residents in vulnerable coastal zones to begin their preparedness checks immediately."