Colorado State University Predicts Six Hurricanes for 2026 Atlantic Season Amid El Niño Concerns
Colorado State University (CSU) has released its forecast for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, predicting 13 tropical storms, of which six are expected to become hurricanes. This forecast comes amid high levels of uncertainty due to the potential development of a strong El Niño, which could disrupt hurricane formation. Historically, a typical year sees about 14 tropical storms, with seven becoming hurricanes. The forecast suggests that 2026 hurricane activity will be about 75% of the average season from 1991 to 2020. Despite the lower-than-average prediction, experts caution that even a single hurricane making landfall can have significant impacts. The forecast also includes probabilities for major hurricanes making landfall in the U.S., with a 32% chance for the entire U.S. coastline, 15% for the East Coast, and 20% for the Gulf Coast.