Why the 2026 Hurricane Season Might Not Be That Bad
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be less active due to the influence of El Niño, which disrupts hurricane formation. However, local ocean temperatures and other factors could still lead to significant storms. Experts emphasize that even a below-average season can still produce dangerous hurricanes, highlighting the importance of preparedness.
- ▪The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts eight to 14 named tropical systems this season.
- ▪El Niño is expected to emerge this summer, affecting weather patterns and hurricane formation.
- ▪Despite a forecast for lower activity, it only takes one storm to cause significant damage.
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Brian KahnScienceMay 21, 2026 11:58 AMWhy the 2026 Hurricane Season Might Not Be That BadThe impending arrival of El Niño will help keep the number of storms low. But it only takes one landfall to create a catastrophe.Photograph: Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Getty ImagesCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyAtlantic hurricane season is almost upon us and the early signs indicate it might be less active than usual. But that’s no reason to delete your weather app and ignore the forecast.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting eight to 14 named tropical systems, of which three to six will become hurricanes and one to three will be Category 3 or higher.“What’s driving this forecast is largely an El Niño event,” said NOAA…
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