First major forecast for 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is released
#hurricane forecast#Colorado State University#Atlantic hurricane season#named storms#major hurricanes#2026 prediction#seasonal outlook
📌 Key Takeaways
Colorado State University predicts 13 named storms and 6 hurricanes for the 2026 Atlantic season.
The forecast anticipates three storms to become major hurricanes (Category 3+).
The prediction is based on expected warm ocean temperatures and favorable large-scale conditions.
This is the first major seasonal outlook, with updates planned for April, June, and August.
📖 Full Retelling
Colorado State University's Tropical Meteorology Project team released its first major forecast for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season on January 15, 2026, predicting an above-average season with 13 named storms and six hurricanes, due to the expected persistence of warm ocean temperatures and favorable atmospheric conditions. The forecast, issued from the university's base in Fort Collins, Colorado, represents one of the earliest and most authoritative seasonal outlooks, providing critical lead time for coastal communities, emergency managers, and the insurance industry to prepare.
The forecast anticipates that of the six predicted hurricanes, three are expected to reach major hurricane status, classified as Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson scale with sustained winds of at least 111 mph. This level of activity is attributed primarily to the ongoing warm phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic that are projected to remain well above average. The team, led by renowned hurricane researcher Dr. Philip Klotzbach, emphasized that while the forecast provides a general expectation, it does not predict where or if any storms will make landfall.
This early outlook is part of a decades-long effort by Colorado State University to advance seasonal hurricane prediction science. The release kicks off a cycle of forecast updates that will be issued in April, June, and August, refining the predictions as key atmospheric and oceanic signals become clearer. The university's forecasts are closely watched by government agencies and the private sector, forming a foundational piece of risk assessment and preparedness planning for the June 1 to November 30 season.
Colorado State University (Colorado State or CSU) is a public land-grant research university in Fort Collins, Colorado, United States. It is the flagship university of the Colorado State University System. It was founded in 1870 as Colorado Agricultural College and assumed its current name in 1957.
The Atlantic hurricane season is the period in a year, from June 1 to November 30, when tropical or subtropical cyclones are most likely to form in the North Atlantic Ocean. These dates, adopted by convention, encompass the period in each year when most tropical cyclogenesis occurs in the basin. Eve...
Colorado State University has released its annual Atlantic hurricane forecast, predicting 13 named storms and six hurricanes may develop during the 2026 season.
