Hurricane season 2026: Here are this year’s storm names

The Atlantic hurricane season is nearly here, officially running from June 1 through Nov. 30. As we gear up for the months ahead, NOAA has officially released its 2026 Atlantic hurricane season outlook, projecting a slightly quieter year than usual.

2026 Seasonal Forecast

Forecasters at NOAA expect a below-average season, predicting between 8-14 named storms. This includes 3-6 hurricanes and 1-3 major hurricanes, defined as Category 3 or stronger. For comparison, an average Atlantic hurricane season typically sees 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.

Updates to the Storm Name List

Storm names are managed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and operate on a six-year rotation. Because of this cycle, the 2026 list is the same one used previously in 2020. However, there is one notable addition to the roster this year.

The WMO retired the names Laura, Eta, and Iota following the historic 2020 season, which produced a record-breaking 30 named storms. Names are pulled from the rotation when a storm proves to be particularly deadly or destructive.

Among those retired was Laura, a Category 4 hurricane that slammed into Louisiana on Aug. 27, 2020. With 150 mph winds, the storm was responsible for more than 70 deaths across the U.S. and the Caribbean. Replacing the retired name Laura on this year's list is Leah.

As residents prepare for the season, remember that the Atlantic hurricane cycle begins on June 1 and concludes on Nov. 30.