Early 2026 Outlook: Atlantic Hurricane Season Expected to Be Slightly Below Average

Colorado State University’s April forecast predicts 13 named storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes in the 2026 Atlantic season, a below-average tally driven by a likely later-arriving El Niño; the season runs June 1–Nov. 30 with about 75% of the long-term average, and there’s a 32% chance of a major hurricane making U.S. landfall and 35% for the Caribbean, with NOAA expected to release an additional outlook later.