Storms can form outside the official dates, and a quiet start says nothing about the rest of the season. Prepare before the season starts.
Official dates
The National Hurricane Center says the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The Atlantic basin includes the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America. The eastern Pacific season runs from May 15 to November 30 and covers waters from Mexico and Central America west to 140 degrees West.
When activity peaks
In the Atlantic the peak is September 10, with most activity between mid-August and mid-October. In the eastern Pacific there is a peak in late August, but it is less pronounced, and most storms occur between late June and early October.
An average season
For 1991 to 2020, an average Atlantic season has 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5). The first named storm typically forms in mid to late June, the first hurricane in early to mid-August and the first major hurricane in late August or early September. An average eastern Pacific season has 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes. Individual seasons can differ a lot from these averages.
Outside the official dates
The dates are an average, not a limit. NHC notes that tropical cyclone activity sometimes occurs before and after them, so a storm in May or December is possible. A quiet June or July says little about the rest of the season, because the peak comes in September.
Caribbean, Bahamas and the Gulf
The Atlantic season dates apply to the whole Atlantic basin, which includes the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America. That covers the Bahamas, the Caribbean islands and the Gulf coast alike, so the season there also runs from June 1 to November 30. Hawaii falls under the central Pacific, which this guide does not cover.
How much of the season is left
The Atlantic season ends on November 30, and activity usually fades after mid-October. Late-season storms still happen, so keep checking the National Hurricane Center outlook until the official end date.
What the terms mean
NHC defines a tropical depression as maximum sustained winds of 38 mph or less, a tropical storm as 39 to 73 mph, a hurricane as 74 mph or higher, and a major hurricane as 111 mph or higher.
Not covered here
This guide covers the Atlantic and eastern Pacific only. For Hawaii and the central Pacific, see our Hawaii hurricane tracker and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
Check your own location
See current official alerts and the impact for your ZIP code.
Sources
Reviewed by the Storm Incoming editorial team on October 27, 2026. Follow local emergency officials if their instructions differ.