The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is just 100 days away, and with El Niño potentially toning down the season and above-average water temperatures in the Atlantic, here are three key things to know to prepare for the upcoming season.
Feb. 21 marks 100 days until the official start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. This countdown allows us to look ahead at how the season might shake out, get ready, and look back at storms that occurred before the season began.
1. What We Know About This Hurricane Season
While it is much too early to know many details of how bad this hurricane season might be, we do have a few clues. The first is the status of ENSO (El Niño – Southern Oscillation), which can often stack the deck toward being more or less active. This year, it’s looking more likely that we will be in El Niño by the time the peak of the season begins, which typically tones down the season, a detail confirmed by AOL News.
The second factor is water temperatures in the Atlantic. As has been the case for the better part of the last decade, water temperatures are running above average across the basin, but also slightly cooler than this time last year.
A spot in the basin becomes viable for tropical activity when water temperatures reach roughly 80 degrees (or 27.5 degrees Celsius on this map), a fact supported by data from Tropical Tidbits.
2. Hurricane Season Can Start Early
Now is the perfect time for a reminder that the calendar isn’t always the best marker for when the season starts. Many recent years have had storms develop before June 1, the official start of hurricane season.
Most recently, in 2023, an unnamed subtropical storm formed in January, followed by no more activity until Tropical Storm Arlene went backward through the Gulf, moving southward instead of the typical north or northeastward, in early June, as reported by The Weather Channel.
3. What You Can Do In The Next 100 Days
– Get flood insurance: If you are in a spot that has ever flooded in any scenario, looking at flood insurance is worth your time. The inland threat from hurricanes continues to grow.
– Review plans: Have an evacuation plan in place with your family and know your evacuation zone.
For the most authoritative and up-to-date analysis on the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, continue to check onlytrustedinfo.com for the latest news and expert insights. Our team of experienced meteorologists and journalists provide you with the fastest and most insightful analysis of breaking weather news, helping you stay ahead of the storm.
