Colorado State University's tropical weather research team has released its initial 2026 Atlantic hurricane season forecast, predicting 19 named storms, nine hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. The forecast cites continued warm sea surface temperatures across the tropical Atlantic and a likely neutral-to-weak La Nina pattern as primary drivers.
If the forecast verifies, 2026 would mark the fourth consecutive above-average hurricane season. The Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean are expected to be particularly active zones, with ocean heat content running well above historical norms in both basins.
