Colorado State University has released its first Atlantic hurricane season forecast for 2026, predicting somewhat below-normal activity this year.
The CSU Tropical Meteorology Project forecasts:
While these numbers fall below the 30-year average, experts emphasize that lower seasonal activity does not eliminate flood risk. As CSU reminds coastal residents each year, it only takes one landfalling storm to make a season devastating for a community.
CSU researchers cite developing El Niño conditions as the main reason for reduced storm activity this season. El Niño tends to increase vertical wind shear in the Atlantic, making hurricane formation more difficult.
Even so, unpredictable weather patterns and localized flooding remain serious concerns, especially in hurricane-prone and low-lying areas.
A quieter forecast can create a false sense of security. Flooding from even a single storm system can cause costly damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
That’s why preparation should happen every season, regardless of storm count predictions.
Quick Dam flood protection solutions are designed to help property owners act fast when severe weather threatens, with easy-to-deploy barriers that help protect doorways, garages, and vulnerable entry points before floodwaters rise.
Hurricane forecasts offer guidance, not guarantees. Whether this season stays quiet or shifts unexpectedly, having a flood response plan in place can make all the difference.
See CSU’s full 2026 hurricane forecast here: https://tropical.colostate.edu/forecasting.html
