When is hurricane season¶
This page answers when hurricane season is, which places are at risk, and what to do at the start of every season. A few hours in June can save you days of scrambling in September.
Season dates¶
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. This covers the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico, which means the Caribbean islands, Bermuda, the Gulf and Caribbean coasts of Mexico and Central America, the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of the United States, and Atlantic Canada.
The Eastern Pacific hurricane season starts earlier, on May 15, and also ends on November 30. This season matters for the Pacific coasts of Mexico and Central America, Hawaii, and occasionally the southwestern United States, which can get heavy rain from the remnants of Pacific storms.
The Central Pacific, which includes Hawaii, follows the June 1 to November 30 dates.
When storms peak¶
Most Atlantic storms form in the second half of the season. The peak runs from late August through September, with the single most active date in early to mid September. This is when the ocean is warmest and the atmosphere is most favorable.
Early season storms, in June and July, tend to form close to land in the Gulf or the western Caribbean and often bring heavy rain more than strong wind. Late season storms in October and November can still be powerful, and some of the worst Gulf and Caribbean hurricanes on record struck in October.
| Month | Typical activity |
|---|---|
| June and July | A few storms, often weaker, usually forming close to land |
| August | Activity picks up quickly toward the end of the month |
| September | Peak of the season, the most storms and the strongest ones |
| October | Still active, with a focus on the Caribbean and Gulf |
| November | Quieter, but hurricanes still happen |
Storms can form outside the season¶
The dates are a guide, not a rule. Storms have formed in May, in December, and occasionally in other months. Warm water does not check the calendar.
Do not put your supplies away on December 1 and do not wait until June 1 to start paying attention. Keep a basic kit year round and check forecasts whenever the National Hurricane Center flags a system, whatever the month.
Which regions are at risk¶
The Caribbean islands sit directly in the path of storms crossing the Atlantic, and the western Caribbean also brews storms of its own. Help can take longer to arrive on an island, so self reliance matters more.
Mexico and Central America face two seasons: Atlantic storms on the Gulf and Caribbean coasts, and Eastern Pacific storms on the Pacific coast. Heavy rain over mountains can cause deadly floods and landslides far from the sea.
Bermuda lies in the open Atlantic, in the path of many storms that curve north.
Atlantic Canada gets storms that travel north along the US East Coast. Many are weakening or losing their tropical features by then, but they can still bring damaging wind, heavy rain, and surge.
For the risks, agencies, and alerts where you live, see your local help page.
In the United States¶
The Gulf Coast, from Texas through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle, sees frequent landfalls. The shallow Gulf waters make storm surge especially severe here.
The Atlantic coast is at risk from the southern tip of Florida all the way to Maine. Florida and the Carolinas see the most landfalls, but storms have reached New York, New England, and even Canada with hurricane force winds.
Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands sit directly in the path of storms crossing the Atlantic and can be hit by systems that later turn away from the mainland. Help can take longer to arrive on an island, so self reliance matters more.
Hawaii is at risk from Central and Eastern Pacific hurricanes, especially from July through September. Direct hits are less common than on the Gulf Coast but do happen.
Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa face typhoons and cyclones, which are the same storms under different names. Guam in particular sees strong typhoons.
Why inland areas are at risk too¶
Hurricane damage does not stop at the coast. Inland flooding from rain is one of the top causes of hurricane deaths, and it can happen hundreds of kilometers (hundreds of miles) from where the storm came ashore, even in the mountains. Tornadoes from outer bands can reach far inland as well.
Wind stays dangerous for many kilometers (many miles) inland, especially with fast moving storms. Power outages from a hurricane can cover huge areas, sometimes an entire island or state.
If you live anywhere near the Gulf, the Caribbean, the Atlantic, or the eastern Pacific, even well inland, you have some hurricane risk. Our page on hurricane hazards explains inland flooding in more detail.
Start of season checklist¶
Do these things every year, ideally in May. Tap each one as you finish.
- Look up your evacuation zone and write it down. See evacuation zones.
- Review or make your family plan, including where you would go and how you would reach each other.
- Check your supply kit and replace expired food, water, batteries, and medicine.
- Restock your go bag and update copies of important documents.
- Review your insurance and take photos of your home and belongings. See documents and insurance.
- Test your weather radio and put fresh batteries in it.
- Sign up for emergency alerts from your local government or national disaster agency, if they offer them.
- Trim trees and fix loose shutters, gutters, and fencing. See prepare your home.
- Update your pet emergency kit and confirm which shelters or hotels accept pets.
- Talk with older relatives or neighbors who may need help. See seniors and people with disabilities.
Do it before the first storm
Stores sell out of water, batteries, and plywood the moment a storm appears in the forecast. Shopping in May means no lines and no empty shelves.