Compare recent hurricane seasons by named storms, hurricanes and major hurricanes, from 2020's 30 storms down
When hurricane season runs
The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and the Eastern Pacific season from May 15 to November 30. The Atlantic season typically peaks around September 10, with most activity between mid-August and mid-October (National Hurricane Center). A named storm has winds of at least 39 mph; a hurricane has winds of at least 74 mph; a major hurricane is Category 3 or higher.
Worst Atlantic hurricane seasons since 1953
"Worst" here means the most active: ranked by the number of named storms, hurricanes and major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher) in the National Hurricane Center record, 1953–2025. A busy season is not always the most destructive; see the deadliest and costliest hurricanes.
Most named storms, Atlantic
Most hurricanes, Atlantic
Most major hurricanes, Atlantic
Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center HURDAT2. A quiet season can still have a destructive storm. For damage and deaths see hurricane records.
Seasons by year
| Season | Atlantic: named / hurricanes / major | Eastern and Central Pacific: named / hurricanes / major |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (in progress) | Storms we have tracked so far this year | |
| 2025 | 13 / 6 / 4 | 20 / 11 / 5 |
| 2024 | 18 / 11 / 5 | 14 / 5 / 3 |
| 2023 | 19 / 7 / 3 | 17 / 10 / 8 |
| 2022 | 14 / 9 / 3 | 19 / 11 / 4 |
| 2021 | 21 / 7 / 4 | 19 / 8 / 2 |
| 2020 | 30 / 14 / 7 | 16 / 4 / 3 |
| 2019 | 18 / 7 / 3 | 19 / 7 / 4 |
| 2018 | 15 / 8 / 2 | 23 / 13 / 10 |
| 2017 | 17 / 10 / 6 | 18 / 9 / 4 |
| 2016 | 15 / 7 / 4 | 22 / 14 / 7 |
Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center best-track data (HURDAT2). Major means Category 3 or higher.
Common questions about hurricane season
What months are hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The eastern Pacific season runs from May 15 to November 30. Activity peaks around September 10 in the Atlantic, with most storms from mid-August to mid-October (National Hurricane Center).
When is hurricane season in the Caribbean?
The Atlantic season dates apply: June 1 to November 30. The National Hurricane Center defines the Atlantic basin as the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America, so the Caribbean has no separate season.
When is hurricane season in the Bahamas?
The Bahamas are in the Atlantic basin, so hurricane season there runs from June 1 to November 30, with the same September peak as the rest of the Atlantic.
How much longer is hurricane season?
The Atlantic season ends on November 30 and the eastern Pacific season ends the same day. Storms are rarer late in the season but still possible, so watch the National Hurricane Center outlook until the end date.