By Zoila Palma: The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins today and will continue through November 30, the period during which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says 97 percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs.
Although June is historically one of the quieter months of the season, forecasters say conditions will still require close monitoring.
Meteorologists note that an approaching El Niño could significantly influence the hurricane season by increasing wind shear across the Caribbean and Atlantic Basin.
Wind shear can disrupt or weaken storm formation, making tropical development more difficult. However, forecasters say these hindering effects have not yet fully taken hold, leaving enough moisture and warmth in place for storms to potentially develop early in the season.
Historical records show varying activity during El Niño years. In 2023, the last El Niño year, 3 named storms formed during June, with 2 developing in the Atlantic and one in the Gulf. During the last Super El Niño in 2015, only Tropical Storm Bill formed in June, making landfall in Texas.
As of 8 a.m. on June 1, the National Hurricane Center reported no disturbances in the Atlantic Basin requiring concern over the next two to seven days.
However, AccuWeather forecasters said conditions could change later in the month, particularly in the Gulf, western Caribbean and southwestern Atlantic, which are regions known for early-season tropical development.
The post Atlantic Hurricane season begins with low activity as forecasters monitor key areas appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins today and will continue through November 30, the period during which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says 97 percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs. Although June is historically one of the quieter months of the season, forecasters say conditions will still require close monitoring.
The post Atlantic Hurricane season begins with low activity as forecasters monitor key areas appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
