The Atlantic hurricane season is officially underway — running from June 1 through November 30. While we’re busy battening down the hatches, our eyes also turn to the list of hurricane names that will be used this season. Given the devastation hurricanes bring, many of us look for our name with a sense of unease — after all, who wants to be associated with a weather event that causes death and destruction to the tune of $150 billion a year? Every name on the 2026 hurricane list was chosen years ago, and each one gets rotated in on a 6-year schedule. There’s also a backup list of hurricane names to swap in for storm names that get retired, which happens when a storm is particularly devastating or costly. That’s why you’ll never see another Katrina, Camille or Sandy in the rotation. The National Weather Service predicts a below-average hurricane season this year, with an estimated total of 8-14 named storms. Of those named storms, 3-6 could become hurricanes, with 1-3 predicted to be major ones. One reason for the predicted slower hurricane season is El Niño, which will be strong this year. That's why it’s essential to review your hurricane preparedness plan now. It only takes one storm to make for a very bad season. This year’s Atlantic hurricane names are a typical mix of English, Spanish and French names that are easily recognizable to people living in the potential paths of Atlantic and Caribbean storms. Read on to learn the hurricane names you may be hearing a lot about this year.
