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Performance Tracking > 2026 Hurricane Season > Introduction
WebSitePulse 2026 Hurricane Season Web Performance and Uptime Report Intro
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1 and will continue through November 30. This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a below-normal season, with a 55% probability of below-normal activity, a 35% probability of a near-normal season, and only a 10% probability of an above-normal season.
According to NOAA's outlook, the Atlantic basin is expected to produce between 8 and 14 named storms with winds of at least 39 mph. Of these, 3 to 6 could become hurricanes with winds of at least 74 mph, including 1 to 3 major hurricanes of Category 3, 4, or 5 strength. By comparison, an average Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes.
The expected development of El Niño is one of the primary factors behind the forecast for reduced Atlantic hurricane activity. El Niño typically increases vertical wind shear over the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean, making it more difficult for tropical storms to form and strengthen. However, NOAA emphasizes that a below-normal season does not eliminate the possibility of destructive hurricanes or major landfalls. Seasonal forecasts indicate the expected overall level of activity but cannot predict exactly where or when individual storms will strike.
In the Pacific, the outlook is considerably different. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season began on May 15, while the Central Pacific season began on June 1; both will continue through November 30. NOAA predicts a 70% chance of an above-normal Eastern Pacific season, with 15 to 22 named storms, 9 to 14 hurricanes, and 5 to 9 major hurricanes. The Central Pacific is also expected to experience above-normal activity, with 5 to 13 tropical cyclones of tropical-depression strength or greater.
Regardless of the total number of storms, every hurricane season presents serious risks to residents, businesses, emergency services, and online information providers. During major storms, millions of people rely on weather, emergency-management, and disaster-relief websites for forecasts, evacuation instructions, shelter information, and other critical updates. These websites must remain available and responsive even when traffic increases significantly.
For another consecutive year, WebSitePulse will monitor the performance and availability of some of the most popular hurricane-related and weather-information websites throughout the 2026 hurricane season. The monitoring process will measure their uptime and response time from several locations across the United States, helping determine how reliably and quickly these important online resources serve visitors during one of the most demanding periods of the year.
According to NOAA's outlook, the Atlantic basin is expected to produce between 8 and 14 named storms with winds of at least 39 mph. Of these, 3 to 6 could become hurricanes with winds of at least 74 mph, including 1 to 3 major hurricanes of Category 3, 4, or 5 strength. By comparison, an average Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes.
The expected development of El Niño is one of the primary factors behind the forecast for reduced Atlantic hurricane activity. El Niño typically increases vertical wind shear over the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean, making it more difficult for tropical storms to form and strengthen. However, NOAA emphasizes that a below-normal season does not eliminate the possibility of destructive hurricanes or major landfalls. Seasonal forecasts indicate the expected overall level of activity but cannot predict exactly where or when individual storms will strike.
In the Pacific, the outlook is considerably different. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season began on May 15, while the Central Pacific season began on June 1; both will continue through November 30. NOAA predicts a 70% chance of an above-normal Eastern Pacific season, with 15 to 22 named storms, 9 to 14 hurricanes, and 5 to 9 major hurricanes. The Central Pacific is also expected to experience above-normal activity, with 5 to 13 tropical cyclones of tropical-depression strength or greater.
Regardless of the total number of storms, every hurricane season presents serious risks to residents, businesses, emergency services, and online information providers. During major storms, millions of people rely on weather, emergency-management, and disaster-relief websites for forecasts, evacuation instructions, shelter information, and other critical updates. These websites must remain available and responsive even when traffic increases significantly.
For another consecutive year, WebSitePulse will monitor the performance and availability of some of the most popular hurricane-related and weather-information websites throughout the 2026 hurricane season. The monitoring process will measure their uptime and response time from several locations across the United States, helping determine how reliably and quickly these important online resources serve visitors during one of the most demanding periods of the year.
