Storm forecasters have further downgraded predictions a little more than a month into the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which has so far produced a single named tropical system.
For a season initially anticipated to be “somewhat below-normal,” Colorado State University researchers on Wednesday reduced their projections for the number of named systems and the duration of activity, stating they “now anticipate a well below-normal season.”
A day earlier, the private meteorological firm AccuWeather slightly reduced the range of named storms it predicted to develop in the Atlantic basin.
In both cases the forecast is tied to moderate El Niño conditions likely to intensify into a “strong” El Niño by the mid-September peak of the six-month hurricane season that began June 1.
The term El Niño refers to a warming of the ocean surface waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean and resulting low-level surface winds that can disrupt normal weather patterns across the U.S. and globally.
“Sea surface temperatures across the Caribbean and tropical Atlantic are near their long-term averages,” Colorado State University posted on Wednesday. “We anticipate the powerful El Niño being the dominant factor for the upcoming hurricane season, driving high levels of tropical Atlantic vertical wind shear.”
Vertical wind shear usually helps weaken or disrupt storms.
“El Niño conditions have always been the driver for why we’re expecting numbers near or below the historical average this year,” said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert. “The stronger the El Niño gets, the fewer named storms we’re likely to get. Back in 2015, we had a strong El Niño and got 11 named storms. I think that is the sweet spot again this year.”
An average storm season has 14 to 15 named storms, with seven reaching hurricane strength.
AccuWeather, which initially forecast between 11 and 16 named storms, now predicts the formation of eight to 14 named storms for the season. Unchanged is the forecast of four to seven hurricanes, with two to four becoming major systems. AccuWeather also forecasts three to five having a direct impact on the U.S.
“The northern and eastern Gulf Coast, the Carolinas, and the northeastern Caribbean remain higher-than-average risk areas, where storms can develop rapidly,” a release from AccuWeather stated.
With a caveat added, the Colorado State University release noted there is a “below-average probability” for a major hurricane to make landfall on the U.S. coastline before adding that “coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season.”
The school’s forecast now sits at 9 named storms, down from 13 when the initial projections were released in April and 11 when updated in June.
Also, the July forecast has four storms reaching hurricane strength, with winds at or above 74 mph, instead of six as in the pre-season outlook and five when the numbers were revised in June.
The ocean and gulf waters are expected to be active with named storms for a total of 35 days, down from 45 days in the June forecast. A typical year has 69.4 days of storm activity.
Meanwhile, the number of storms reaching major strength — Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale with sustained winds of 111-mph or greater — was put at one, down from two in the prior forecasts.
As of Wednesday, the only named storm to arise was Tropical Storm Arthur, which brought flash flooding and tornadoes as it made landfall June 18 near Galveston, Texas.
In 2025, the Atlantic produced 13 named storms and five hurricanes, with four reaching Category 3 — winds of 111 mph to 130 mph, and storm surge of 9 feet to 12 feet above normal tide.
None of the 2025 storms, though, made a direct landfall in Florida or the U.S.
–Jim Turner, News Service of Florida
Joe D says
Downgrading the storm frequency is good news, however, it only takes one serious storm to hit landfall, to cause SIGNIFICANT damage and loss. Especially concerning if the FEDERAL push this year to make STATES carry more of the costs either by cutting the amounts of FEMA money available, or simply not accepting that a storm is SIGNIFICANTLY damaging to warrant FEDERAL RESOURCES. That combined with our current Governor’s raiding the Florida State Emergency Management Fund depleting it down to only $45 Million over the past year (approximately), to build and maintain (and now dismantle) the ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ migrant detention center at almost $1 million/day (advancing State funds, that we are UNLIKELY to see reimbursed to any great amount).
Maybe I missed the usual announcement, but I HOPE that the SALES TAX EXEMPT HOLIDAY for Hurricane Relief supplies list and short term SALES TAX relief period for emergency back up system equipment (etc.), are still available this year. I know I review the list yearly, and try to add emergency supply items gradually as I can afford, which is getting more difficult with each passing year.
I’m afraid if FLORIDIANS are depending on a large amount of disaster response and damage relief for any serious storms in the next few years, we are going to get a SHOCKING RE-EDUCATION in the ‘OL AMERICAN PIONEER SPIRIT …of doing it all yourself.
My mother was raised on a farm outside of Gettysburg, Pa… raised their own chickens, pigs, milked their own cows and grew their own vegetables and fruit. Unfortunately, most of the 40 yr old and under ( and probably much older) generations would PROBABLY be LOST in such situations.
They do sell balcony sized raised gardening beds on wheels (some even self-watering) for vegetables, herbs and small fruits. It might not be a bad idea to start PRACTICING growing easy SMALLER VARIETIES now, rather than be surprised, when the government assistance you have come accustomed to receiving is no longer available.
Hoping for a CALM storm season….
Atwp says
Prediction sounds good. One hurricane is enough. It is hard to believe anything during Republican control. Predicttions are just predictions anything can and will happen.