First major 2026 Atlantic hurricane forecast predicts slightly below-average season
Researchers cite a likely El Niño and forecast 75% of average Atlantic activity, with 13 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes.
- On Thursday, April 9, 2026, Colorado State University researchers released their first 2026 Atlantic hurricane season outlook, predicting 13 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes.
- Researchers cite the anticipated transition from La Niña to a robust El Niño as the primary driver for the below-average forecast, as the pattern increases vertical wind shear that disrupts tropical storm development.
- The outlook predicts activity at about 75% of a typical season, with a 32% probability of a major hurricane making landfall along the U.S. coastline.
- Delián Colón-Burgos, a forecast co-author, emphasized that communities should "take it seriously" regardless of the statistics, noting it only takes one hurricane to make it an active season.
- The team acknowledges the difficulty of April forecasting—termed the "Spring Predictability Barrier"—and will release updated outlooks on June 10, July 8, and August 5.
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CSU forecasts below-average 2026 Atlantic hurricane season
Colorado State University (CSU) researchers are forecasting a somewhat below-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2026, citing the expected development of El Niño conditions that typically suppress storm formation in the basin. In their initial seasonal outlook, released Thursday, the CSU team projected 13 named storms during the June 1 to Nov. 30 Atlantic season, including six hurricanes and two major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher…
First major Atlantic 2026 forecast: What to know
NEW YORK (PIX11) -- The upcoming hurricane season will be slightly below average, according to researchers at Colorado State University. The first major outlook for the 2026 hurricane season was issued April 9 by the university's Tropical Cyclones, Radar, Atmospheric Modeling, and Software team. There will be a total of 13 tropical storms that will [...]
Triple-I urges caution amid 'somewhat below average' Atlantic hurricane season forecast
While a “somewhat below average” hurricane season is forecasted for 2026 in the Atlantic Basin, the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) is advising insurers to remain cautious, as it only takes one major storm to shatter loss expectations in a high-inflation environment. 13 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes are expected during the 2026 season, which starts on June 1 and continues through November 30, according to a rec…
S.C. Forecasters predict below-average activity for coming hurricane season
The first outlook from Colorado State University for the 2026 hurricane season suggests that the Atlantic basin could be in store for below-average activity. The post S.C. Forecasters predict below-average activity for coming hurricane season appeared first on Charleston City Paper.
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