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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Monday marks the first day of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, with experts predicting “below-normal” levels of activity in the region in the coming months.
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However, as the saying goes, “it only takes one” storm to make it an “active” season for those affected by it, so our Tracking the Tropics team will continue to monitor the forecast models and keep you up to date on any developments.
Subscribe to the Tracking the Tropics Newsletter to be alerted of any new activity in the Atlantic.
According to the National Hurricane Center, no tropical development is expected in the Atlantic in the next seven days. The NHC is tracking two disturbances in the Pacific, where hurricane season began two weeks ago.
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Last month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its initial forecast for the season. Forecasters anticipate that 2026 will be a “below-normal” season, thanks to a developing El Niño climate pattern in the Pacific. This is expected to cause increased levels of vertical wind shear in the tropical Atlantic, creating an unfavorable environment for storms that feed on moist air.
Researchers predict 8-14 named storms will form in the Atlantic. 3-6 of the storms will become hurricanes, with 1-3 reaching major hurricane status of Category 3 and above, according to their forecast.
On today’s edition of Tracking the Tropics, NHC Warning Coordination Meteorologist Robbie Berg joins our team of meteorologists live to break down the NHC forecast and to answer your questions. Watch live in the video player above at 12:30 p.m. ET.
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