Exceptionally warm waters and a developing El Niño will boost tropical activity during the 2026 Eastern and Central Pacific hurricane season, raising the risk of direct impacts in Hawaii, Southern California and parts of Mexico.
The Eastern and Central Pacific basins are expected to produce above the historical average number of named storms, hurricanes and major hurricanes in 2026.
The Eastern Pacific hurricane season starts on May 15, while the Central Pacific hurricane season begins on June 1.
"This could be an unusually active and potentially impactful year in the Pacific basin, unlike the Atlantic basin, where we are forecasting fewer storms than the historical average," AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said.
Hurricane Hilary spinning off the Pacific Coast of Mexico on August 18, 2023. File Photo courtesy NASA
