The 2026 Hurricane Season Outlook

What is the forecast for the 2026 hurricane season? In this episode, we break down the newly-released 2026 Atlantic hurricane season outlook from Colorado State University (CSU), one of the most trusted long-range forecasts in meteorology. Recorded at the National Tropical Weather Conference on South Padre Island, this episode features a conversation with Dr. Phil Klotzbach, lead researcher behind the CSU forecast. We discuss why the 2026 hurricane season is expected to be below average, how a developing El Niño could impact storm activity, and why factors like vertical wind shear and sea surface temperatures play a critical role in seasonal forecasts. You’ll also learn how El Niño vs. La Niña can influence where hurricanes form and track, including potential landfall patterns in the Gulf Coast, East Coast, and Caribbean. Plus, a look at the history of the CSU hurricane outlook and the key variables that could still shift the forecast as the season approaches. If you’re looking for the latest hurricane forecast, expert analysis, and what it means for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, this episode breaks it all down!