The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1, with the peak occurring around September 10.
June 1 marks the official start of 2026 atlantic hurricane seasonlasting until November 30.
While tropical systems can develop anywhere throughout the basin, early-season activity in June and July is typically favored in the Gulf, western Caribbean, and southeastern U.S. coastal areas, where waters warm first and atmospheric conditions can occasionally support development.
Hurricane activity typically increases throughout the summer before reaching a climatological peak around September 10, when ocean temperatures are highest and broad-scale atmospheric conditions are most favorable for tropical cyclone formation.
What to expect during the 2026 hurricane season
Forecasters expect the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season to be slower than average, with NOAA predicting eight to 14 named storms, compared with the long-term average of about 14.
The main reason is the expected development of El Niño in the Pacific, which tends to increase upper-level wind shear across the Atlantic basin. Stronger wind shear can disrupt developing tropical systems and limit the number of storms that become hurricanes.
Despite the calmer outlook, experts stress that it only takes one landfalling storm to make a season memorable and that coastal residents should use the start of hurricane season as a reminder to review preparedness plans and emergency supplies.
What should be in your hurricane gear?
The best time to gather hurricane supplies is before the storm approaches. Therefore, it’s never too early to start building a disaster supply kit.
The Florida Department of Emergency Management has a list of disaster supply kits you can use as a starting point:
General
- 2 weeks supply of medication
- Allergy List
- Required medical equipment and accompanying information
- Battery
- flashlight
- NOAA Weather Radio
- cash
- mobile phone charger
- Books, games, puzzles
food and water
- Non-perishable packaged or canned foods and beverages
- snack food
- Special food and beverage program lasting 7 days
- Water (1 gallon per person per day)
- can opener
- Paper plates, napkins and cutlery
Important documents (keep in waterproof container)
- insurance card
- medical records
- Bank information
- Credit Card Number
- Copy of social security card
- Copies of birth and marriage certificates
- copy of will
- Set of car and house keys
- List of important phone numbers, including doctors and county emergency management offices
Additional items
- Rain gear such as jackets, hats, umbrellas and rain boots
- Sturdy shoes or boots and work gloves
- pet food and water
- Pet cages, medications and medical information
- first aid kit
