The days and weeks of waiting are over.
Sort of.
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially starts today, June 1.
➤ Track all active storms
Now comes waiting of a different sort. Many Florida residents will regularly check the National Hurricane Center’s website for the next six months for the latest on what’s happening in the tropics.
Will Florida be spared impacts from both tropical storms and hurricanes, again this year, like it was in 2025?
Don’t count on it, forecasters warn.
While predictions are for a “below-normal” season, officials constantly warn residents to prepare for storms ahead of time, even if there’s nothing on the horizon and no matter what the season predictions are.
“It only takes one” is a repeated refrain from officials who urge residents in hurricane-prone areas — which is all of Florida — to always be prepared for storms.
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Here’s what you should know.
When does hurricane season start?
The Atlantic hurricane season starts today, June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
➤ Hurricane Center testing new cone: What’s changing this season?
The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories.
When will hurricane season end?
Hurricane season ends on Nov. 30.
Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during the season, between June 1 and Nov. 30, according to NOAA.
Bottom line: While rare, tropical storms or hurricanes can develop beyond Nov. 30.
How much risk is there in Florida from hurricanes, tropical storms this year?
Florida faces the highest risk of a named storm passing within 50 miles of the state in 2026, according to Colorado State University.
In records dating back to 1851, Florida has been hit by more hurricanes than any other state, according to NOAA, so it pays to be prepared.
➤ Is Florida at risk for hurricane in 2026?
CSU forecasters predicted Florida faces this year a:
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season saw no hurricanes make landfall in the U.S.
The last time Florida was hit by a hurricane was in 2024. Three storms hit the Sunshine State, and two of them were major.
A major hurricane is a Category 3 storm or stronger, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph.
What should you do now to prepare for potential hurricane, tropical storm
In early May, the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service provided a lot of information during Hurricane Preparedness Week to help people know what to do before, during and after a hurricane.
➤ Everything to know about NOAA tips from Hurricane Preparedness Week 2026
We’ve rounded everything up in a single story for you, but here are a few highlights:
Do you know your evacuation zone?
Here’s something you can and should do now: Determine what your evacuation zone is.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management has a website to determine whether you live in an evacuation zone and what zone it is.
Enter your address to find out if you are in an evacuation zone and, of so, the letter designation of your zone.
If or when evacuations have been issued in your zone, you’ll see that information displayed on the same website.
What should be in your hurricane supplies kit?
Now is the time to gather your hurricane supplies, while stores are fully stocked and there isn’t a rush of customers.
➤ Don’t have a hurricane supply kit? From the basics to the extras, here’s what you need
Basic supplies emergency officials and forecasters say you should have in your emergency kit include:
Want more ideas? Here are a few sites offering disaster supply checklists:
National Hurricane Center changes coming this year
Back in March, the National Hurricane Center announced it was making several changes this year, including:
➤ Famous hurricane forecast map gets a big makeover
➤ Hurricane cones have been on Ozempic but may get bigger…and better
Experimental products coming this year include:
➤ Hurricane Center is testing new cone: What’s changing this season
What are predictions for 2026 hurricane season?
Here are some of the predictions released for this year’s hurricane season.
A major hurricane is a storm that is a Category 3 or stronger, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph.
Forecasters keep talking about El Niño. Is that important to Florida?
Every prediction for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has mentioned El Niño.
➤ El Niño odds rise again, which could mean fewer hurricanes for Florida
Even though El Niño occurs in the eastern Pacific, it has an impact in the Atlantic creating wind shear that can rip a developing hurricane apart, or even prevent it from forming.
➤ Don’t count on El Niño to kill Florida hurricane season, experts warn
“Simply put, El Niño favors stronger hurricane activity in the central and eastern Pacific basins, and suppresses it in the Atlantic basin,” NOAA said.
Does that mean Florida won’t be hit by any tropical storms or hurricanes this year?
Definitely not and forecasters warn residents should always be prepared, no matter what the predictions are for the season.
➤ Confused? Here’s what ENSO, La Niña, El Niño mean for Florida
How many tropical storms, hurricanes are in a typical season?
The 30-year average, from 1991 to 2020, is for 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
What are names for 2026 Atlantic hurricane season?
Names for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, and how to pronounce them, are:
Current weather watches and warnings issued in Florida
When is the peak of hurricane season?
The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.
Interactive map: See how many hurricanes, tropical storms have passed near your home
Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text
What’s next?
We will provide daily tropical weather coverage during the season to bring you the latest information you need to protect your home and family.
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://news-journalonline.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins today. What can Florida expect?
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
