WMBF News reports that (WMBF) – The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins today, El Nino may result in a slightly quieter than normal season, but that does not mean there is not a risk of impactful landfalls.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a below-normal season, giving it a 55% chance of below-normal activity, a 35% chance of a near-normal season, and just a 10% chance of an above-normal season.
NOAA’s numbers call for 8 to 14 named storms — those with sustained winds of 39 mph or higher.
Of those, 3 to 6 are expected to become hurricanes, with 1 to 3 reaching major hurricane status, meaning Category 3, 4 or 5 with winds of at least 111 mph.
NOAA says it has 70% confidence in those ranges.
An average Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.