A recent forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicates that the Atlantic hurricane season will be less than the recorded averagewith at least six of these phenomena and 14 named storms.
The NOAA projection, published this May 21, is given prior at the beginning of the hurricane season, which authorities estimate for June 1.
The entity affirms that in 2026 there will be between 8 and 14 named storms, between 3 and 6 hurricanes and between 1 and 3 major hurricanes in the Atlantic area.
“NOAA forecasts a below-normal season for 2026, with approximately a 55% chance of being below normal, a 35% chance of being near normal and a 10% probability that it is above normal,” the entity states.
Neil Jacobs, administrator of NOAA, asked the authorities not to “let down their guard,” as he assures that, although there will not be as many hurricanes this season, that doesn’t mean they aren’t destructive.
Peaceful
Regarding the Pacific, Jacobs announced that there will be an increase in cyclonic activity.
“In the central and eastern Pacific, we expect a 70% chance of above-normal activity. For the eastern Pacific, we expect between 15 and 22 named storms, 9 to 14 hurricanes and 5 to 9 major hurricanes; and for the central Pacific, we expect between 5 and 13 tropical cyclones,” he said.
The main reason is due to the meteorological phenomenon of “El Niño”, which could reach the category of “super child” at the end of 2026.
The last hurricane season was the first in a decade in which no cyclone reached the United States, with the exception of Tropical Storm Chantal, that in its passage through North Carolina left at least six people dead.
In 2025, the Atlantic recorded 13 named stormsof which five were upgraded to hurricane status; four of them, larger due to their strong winds.