When Do Hurricane Season Start May 2026

For decades, the season ended on October 31. But after a major hurricane hit Miami in November 1935, the bureau extended the season to November 30. To answer the original question simply: Hurricane season starts on June 1 in the Atlantic.

For millions of residents living along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the calendar carries an extra layer of meaning. While the first day of summer is marked by solstices and barbecues, the date that truly dictates the rhythm of life is June 1.

But is that the universal answer? Not exactly. Depending on where you live—from the bustling ports of Shanghai to the vulnerable deltas of Bangladesh—the answer to "when does hurricane season start?" varies significantly. when do hurricane season start

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1, 2024, and ends November 30, 2024.

While June 1 is the official start, scientists have noticed a troubling trend over the last decade: storms are forming before the bell rings. In 2023, an unnamed subtropical storm formed in January. In 2021, Tropical Storm Ana formed on May 22. Climatologists call this a shift toward a "longer season," though the peak remains firmly in September. The Eastern Pacific: May 15 – November 30 For the west coast of Mexico and the Hawaiian Islands, the hurricane season starts two and a half weeks earlier . For decades, the season ended on October 31

Meteorologists urge residents in hurricane zones to treat Memorial Day weekend (the last Monday of May) as the deadline for home preparation. By the time June 1 arrives, your hurricane kit should be stocked, your windows inspected, and your evacuation route memorized. Don't wait for the first tropical wave to appear on the radar to buy your bottled water.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) selected these dates because they encompass more than 97% of all tropical cyclone activity. Historically, June 1 represents the statistical shift when ocean temperatures become warm enough (typically 26.5°C or 80°F) and wind shear low enough to support organized thunderstorm development. For millions of residents living along the Atlantic

Here is the definitive guide to the official start dates of hurricane (or typhoon/cyclone) season across the globe. For the United States, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico, the answer is ironclad: June 1 .