The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is officially here.
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Don’t wait any longer to prepare. While predictions are for a “below-normal” season, Florida doesn’t have a protective shield and the state leads the U.S. when it comes to impacts from storms.
“It only takes one” is a repeated refrain from officials who urge residents in hurricane-prone areas — which is all of Florida — to prepare now, no matter what predictions are and well before a storm is on the horizon.
The National Hurricane Center’s tropical outlook early June 1 showed nothing in the Atlantic basin to be concerned about for the next two to seven days, but AccuWeather forecasters are warning that may change later this month.
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“Tropical development chances remain low at this time, but the Gulf, western Caribbean and southwestern Atlantic will need to be monitored during the first two weeks of June,” AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said.
Florida residents shouldn’t be concerned about the three tropical waves out there.
“The first waves that come off Africa are usually too far south, and there’s often too much dry air and wind shear for them to develop,” DaSilva said via email. “There’s no real concern with these early-season tropical waves.”
2026 hurricane season starts today, June 1
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said.
➤ 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins today. What can Florida expect?
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.
Countdown to end of 2026 Atlantic hurricane season
Could Florida face tropical threat in early June?
“While we always monitor the tropics for potential threats, we’ll be keeping a close eye on the central and eastern Gulf and the southwestern Atlantic,” DaSilva said. “Climatologically, this region can experience early-season tropical development.”
“Tropical development chances remain low at this time, but the Gulf, western Caribbean and southwestern Atlantic will need to be monitored during the first two weeks of June” as wind shear decreases. Wind shear helps prevent tropical storms from developing or strengthening.
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“Whenever there are slow-moving fronts or stalled areas of low pressure in the Gulf, northwest Caribbean and the southwest Atlantic, there is reason to be concerned that a tropical storm or two may try to brew when conditions are favorable,” AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.
Both factors could contribute to the slow development of tropical activity near or a few hundred miles offshore of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in the coming days.
National Hurricane Center tracking no disturbances on first day of hurricane season, June 1
There were no disturbances listed by the National Hurricane Center on its tropical outlook map as of 8 a.m. June 1.
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There are three tropical waves being watched by forecasters:
What is a disturbance?
The National Hurricane Center’s tropical outlook map highlights “disturbances” in the Atlantic basin.
These are clusters of storms with some organization, but which don’t have a defined circulation typical of tropical cyclones.
➤ Ready or not, National Hurricane Center resumes daily tropical outlooks
If shown on the tropical outlook map in orange or red, forecasters are predicting the potential of those disturbances into developing as medium or high, respectively.
Disturbances shown on the map with a gray x have little to no chance for development. This is a change from prior years which indicated such disturbances in yellow.
What is a tropical wave?
“Tropical waves are clusters of showers and thunderstorms that act as the seedlings for many tropical storms throughout the Atlantic season,” DaSilva said.
➤ Explanation of hurricane terms we hope not to hear in Florida this year
“There are about 60 tropical waves that move across the Atlantic each year, and roughly 10 percent to 15 percent of them develop into a tropical system. That’s about one in seven.
“Tropical waves are important because they contribute to about 80 percent of all major hurricanes.”
What are National Hurricane Center’s tropical outlooks?
Tropical outlooks provide a quick look at what’s happening in the tropics, including any disturbances out there showing potential for development and tropical waves that may be present in the Atlantic basin.
The National Hurricane Center started issuing daily tropical outlooks May 15. The outlooks are updated every six hours until the season ends Nov. 30.
Times are 2 a.m., 8 a.m., 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
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An outlook could be issued before or beyond those dates if something showing potential for development appears.
What are predictions for 2026 hurricane season?
Here are some of the predictions released for this year’s hurricane season.
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A major hurricane is a storm that is a Category 3 or stronger, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph.
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.
Could Florida be hit by a hurricane in 2026? See which counties have highest chance
What are names for 2026 Atlantic hurricane season?
Names for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, and how to pronounce them, are:
Florida weather radar for June 1, 2026
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.
Why does NHC say ‘tropical cyclone’ on its maps instead of hurricane or tropical storm?
Tropical cyclone is the generic term used by the National Weather Service, NOAA and the National Hurricane Center for any tropical system, even if it’s in the tropical Atlantic basin.
To be more precise, a tropical cyclone is a “rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, low-level circulation,” NOAA said.
Once maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, what it is called is determined by where it originated:
Interactive map: See how many hurricanes, tropical storms have passed near your home
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What’s next?
We will update our tropical weather coverage regularly to bring you the most current 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://palmbeachpost.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Is National Hurricane Center watching anything in tropics as season begins?
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
