What to Expect as Hurricane Season Starts: Forecasts, Warnings, and El Niño

As the Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1, forecasters are signaling a quieter-than-normal year—but with a critical warning: Fewer storms don't necessarily mean lower risk.

Meteorologists across government agencies and private forecasting firms are broadly aligned in their outlook for 2026, pointing to a season heavily shaped by a developing El Niño pattern. Still, experts stress that even a "below-average" year can produce devastating impacts...