2026 Pacific hurricane season
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The 2026 Pacific hurricane season is the current Pacific hurricane season for the Northern Hemisphere. The season officially began on May 15, 2026, and will end on November 30, 2026. For the Central Pacific (140°W to 180°), the season began on June 1, 2026, and will end on November 30, 2026, with the most active period typically occurring between July and October. Those dates, adopted by convention, describe the period in which most tropical cyclogenesis occurs in the Pacific Ocean. The first system of the season, Tropical Storm Amanda, formed in the open eastern Pacific on June 2. Then on June 7, Tropical Storm Boris formed off the southwestern coast of Mexico before being followed by Tropical Storm Cristina off the coast of Central America a day later. Boris made some impacts on southern Mexico while Cristina poured heavy rain in Central America, causing flooding.
(1-minute sustained)
| 2026 Pacific hurricane season | |
|---|---|
Season summary map | |
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | June 2, 2026 |
| Last system dissipated | Season ongoing |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Fausto |
| • Maximum winds | 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 980 mbar (hPa; 28.94 inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total depressions | 6 |
| Total storms | 6 |
| Hurricanes | 1 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 0 |
| ACE | 16.4 |
| Total fatalities | 11 total |
| Total damage | > $100 million (2026 USD) |
| Related articles | |
Seasonal forecasts
| Record | Named storms |
Hurricanes | Major hurricanes |
ACE | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average (1991–2020) | 15.4 | 8.3 | 4.2 | 100.5 | [1] | |
| Record high activity | 27 | 16† | 11 | 318.1 | [2] | |
| Record low activity | 8† | 3 | 0† | 22.3 | [2] | |
| Date | Source | Named storms |
Hurricanes | Major hurricanes |
ACE | Ref |
| April 22, 2026 | SMN | 18–21 | 9–11 | 4–5 | N/A | [3] |
| May 21, 2026 | NOAA | 15–22 | 9–14 | 5–9 | N/A | [4][5] |
| Area | Named storms |
Hurricanes | Major hurricanes |
ACE | Ref | |
| Actual activity: | EPAC | 6 | 1 | 0 | 16.4 | |
| Actual activity: | CPAC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Actual combined activity: | 6 | 1 | 0 | 16.4 | ||
| * May 15–November 30 only
† Most recent of several such occurrences. (See all) | ||||||
In advance of each Pacific hurricane season, forecasts of hurricane activity are issued by forecasters from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Climate Prediction Center, and Mexico's Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN). The forecasts include weekly and monthly changes in significant factors that help determine the amount of tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes within a particular season.
According to NOAA, the average Pacific hurricane season between 1991 and 2020 contained about 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes (Category 3 and higher), as well as a median accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index of 75.38–110.55 units.[1] Broadly speaking, ACE is the measure of the power of a tropical or subtropical cyclone multiplied by the length of time it existed. ACE is only calculated for full advisories on specific tropical or subtropical cyclones reaching wind speeds of 39 mph (63 km/h) or higher. NOAA typically describes a season as above-average, average, or below-average depending on the cumulative ACE index, but the number of tropical storms, hurricanes or major hurricanes can also be considered.
On April 22, 2026, Mexico's National Meteorological Service (SMN) issued its first forecast for the Pacific hurricane season, predicting 18–21 named storms, 9–11 hurricanes and 4–5 major hurricanes (category 3 and above on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale).[3]
On May 21, 2026, NOAA issued its forecast, indicating an above-normal season with 15–22 named storms, 9–14 hurricanes, and 5–9 major hurricanes.[4] Their reasoning for these elevated numbers centered around an El Niño event that is likely to develop by the peak of the season (July to September).[5]
Seasonal summary
Officially, the 2026 Pacific hurricane season began on May 15 in the Eastern Pacific, on June 1 in the Central Pacific, and both will end on November 30.[6] The Pacific hurricane season was defined by an exceptionally strong start, with three named systems developing by early-June—the most active opening to a season in the basin since 1985.[7] On June 2, Tropical Storm Amanda formed in the open Pacific, becoming the first tropical cyclone of the season.[8] Five days later, Tropical Storm Boris formed off the southwestern coast of Mexico, followed by Tropical Storm Cristina the next day off the Pacific coast of Nicaragua.[9] Boris caused damage in southern Mexico while Cristina brought torrential rain throughout Central America. In early July, Tropical Storm Douglas formed in the open Pacific, without affecting any land.[10]
This season's ACE index is approximately 16.4 units, as officially calculated by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) on July 23.[11] This number represents sum of the squares of the maximum sustained wind speed (knots) for all named storms while they are at least tropical storm intensity, divided by 10,000.
Systems
Tropical Storm Amanda
On May 31, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted that an area of low pressure could form well to the southwest of the Baja California Peninsula.[12] The system quickly organized over time, and by June 2, the system was designated as Tropical Depression One-E after its cloud pattern had improved and scatterometer data identified a closed low-level circulation.[13] The next day, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm and was named Amanda, following deepening convection near its center.[14] Through June 3 to June 4, Amanda strengthened and organized slightly, though suffering from some wind shear.[15][16] On June 5, Amanda began weakening and its center became completely exposed.[17] On June 6, Amanda weakened into a tropical depression in the face of shear and dry air, though warm waters allowed Amanda to continue producing some convection.[18] Amanda continued to wane through June 7 as environmental shear and dry air increased.[19] By June 8, Amanda lacked enough convection to be considered a tropical cyclone, transitioning into a remnant low.[20]
Tropical Storm Boris
On June 3, the NHC noted the possibility of an area of low pressure forming off the southwestern coast of Mexico.[21] On June 7, an Oceansat-3 pass had indicated that the disturbance had consolidated a closed low-level circulation, the low was classified as Tropical Depression Two-E at 15:00 UTC.[22] Early the next day, the system acquired tropical storm-force wind and received the name Boris.[23] Most of the convection at this point was organized linearly with some banding around the center of the storm.[23] On June 9, Boris made landfall on the far southwestern coast of Oaxaca. [24] The rugged terrain proved unfavorable for this system, therefore transitioning it into a post-tropical cyclone, and then quickly dissipating afterward.[25]
One person died in Manzanillo, Colima, in rough seas.[26] In Tecomán, two additional were swept away by rough surf in Tecomán and later found dead.[26][27] Commercial losses in Acapulco were estimated at Mex$1.5 billion (US$87.1 million).[28] In Oaxaca, a man drowned after his truck was swept away by an overflowing river. An outdoor theater worth Mex$54 million (US$3.16 million) was destroyed by swells.[29] As of July 2026, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. estimated that losses totaled to US$100 million.[30]
Tropical Storm Cristina
On June 3, the NHC noted the possibility of an area of low pressure forming off the western coast of Central America.[21] On June 8, after developing persistent deep convection, the low was classed as a tropical depression and was it designated Tropical Depression Three-E.[31] Soon, the depression intensified into a tropical storm, becoming named Cristina, with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a pressure of 1004 mbar (hPa) based on scatterometer data.[32] At the time while moving at an erratic movement, Cristina exhibited an exposed low-level circulation, a characteristic typical of tropical cyclones under the effects of high wind shear because of the interaction of a nearby and slightly stronger Tropical Storm Boris.[33] Cristina weakened into a tropical depression as a result. The trend continued, and on June 11, Cristina opened up into a trough as the circulation was no longer well defined.[34] The through merged with a low pressure system which later produced heavy rainfall along the western Gulf of Mexico coast.[35]
Prior to becoming a tropical depression, Cristina produced heavy rains that caused flooding in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, killing a 60-year old man and disrupting traffic.[36] In Santa Cruz, Costa Rica, five people were left missing after heavy winds attributed to Cristina capsized two boats.[37] Across El Salvador, 58 damaged or flooded homes, 11 affected vehicles, 38 fallen trees, 34 blocked roads and 5 landslides were reported.[38] In Acajutla, residents and business owners estimated that losses totaled to US$150,000.[39] Heavy rainfall related to Cristina, combined with the effects of the local rainy season, resulted in five deaths and three injuries in Guatemala; two deaths occurred each in Momostenango and Casillas and a child died in Senahú.[40] In Chiapas, heavy rainfall from Cristina caused flooding. A man was found dead after being swept away by an overflowing river.[41]
Tropical Storm Douglas
On June 21, the NHC began monitoring a disturbance off the southwestern coast of Mexico and noted the possibility of tropical development.[42] The disturbance increased in chances for development as it showed signs of further organization as it moved into open waters.[43] The disturbance eventually had a 90% chance of development according to the NHC.[44] By July 1, the low pressure system obtained enough organization to be classified as Tropical Depression Four-E and had winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a pressure of 1005 mbar (29.67 inHg).[10] Later, it strengthened into a tropical storm and received the name Douglas.[45][46] The system meandered slowly over the open waters, eventually reaching peak winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 1003 mbar (29.61 inHg) over the open waters,[47] which it maintained until July 3. The system weakened into a remnant low with only a little amount of convection and cloud tops near the circulation mainly due to cooler sea surface temperatures.[citation needed] The remnants of the system continued moving generally to the northwest towards cooler waters in the open Eastern Pacific Ocean,[48] before dissipating on July 5.[citation needed]
Tropical Storm Elida
On July 7, at 06:00 UTC, the NHC began monitoring a disturbance off the coast of southern Mexico with a low chance for development.[49] Over the next few days, the disturbance became better organized under favorable conditions for tropical cyclogenesis. On July 14 at 18:00 UTC, the system consolidated into Tropical Depression Five-E,[50] and twelve hours later, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Elida.[51] Though some dry air and mid-level wind wind shear hindered the storm, it continued to strengthen.[52] It attained its peak intensity on July 18 with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a pressure of 990 mbar (29 inHg).[53] The storm then weakened as it moved over colder waters as well as experiencing more dry air and wind shear. The system stopped producing significant convection on July 20 and became post-tropical.[54]
Elida impacted Clarion Island with strong winds and rough seas throughout July 16.[55] Along the coast of Southern California, wave heights surged due to Elida.[56]
Hurricane Fausto
The NHC began monitoring an area for development on July 12,[57] with a tropical wave being located offshore of southern Mexico by July 16.[58] The tropical wave developed into a broad low on July 18.[59] The low gained sufficient organization and developed into Tropical Depression Six-E at 03:00 UTC on July 19.[60] The depression continued to organize and strengthened to Tropical Storm Fausto at 21:00 UTC later that day.[61] Fausto strengthened slowly over the next two days, with persistent northerly shear counteracting an otherwise conducive environment.[62] Despite this, Fausto continued to organize, and strengthened into a hurricane at 3:00 UTC on July 22, becoming the first hurricane of the season.[63]
Fausto impacted the Revillagigedo Islands with strong winds and rough seas throughout July 20.[64]
Storm names
The following list of names is being used for named storms that form in the North Pacific Ocean east of 140°W during 2026.[65] This is the same list used in the 2020 season.
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|
For storms that form in the North Pacific from 140°W to the International Date Line, the names come from a series of four rotating lists. Names are used one after the other without regard to year, and when the bottom of one list is reached, the next named storm receives the name at the top of the next list.[65] Any named storms that form within the area in 2026 will be listed below. Named storms in the table above that cross into the area during the season are noted (*).
Season effects
The following is a table which will include all of the storms that form in the 2026 Pacific hurricane season. It will include their duration, names, intensities, areas affected, damages, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 2026 USD.
| Saffir–Simpson scale | ||||||
| TD | TS | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 |
| Storm name |
Dates active | Storm category at peak intensity |
Max 1-min wind mph (km/h) |
Min. press. (mbar) |
Areas affected | Damage (US$) |
Deaths | Ref(s). | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amanda | June 2–8 | Tropical storm | 45 (75) | 1004 | None | None | None | |||
| Boris | June 7–9 | Tropical storm | 45 (75) | 1001 | Southern Mexico | $100 million | 4 | |||
| Cristina | June 8–11 | Tropical storm | 45 (75) | 1004 | Central America, Southern Mexico | >$150,000 | 7 | |||
| Douglas | July 1–3 | Tropical storm | 40 (65) | 1003 | None | None | None | |||
| Elida | July 14–20 | Tropical storm | 70 (110) | 990 | Clarion Island, Coastal California | None | None | |||
| Fausto | July 19–present | Category 1 hurricane | 85 (140) | 980 | Revillagigedo Islands | None | None | |||
| Season aggregates | ||||||||||
| 6 systems | June 2 – Season ongoing | 85 (140) | 980 | >$100 million | 11 | |||||
See also
- Weather of 2026
- Tropical cyclones in 2026
- 2026 Atlantic hurricane season
- 2026 Pacific typhoon season
- 2026 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
- South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 2025–26, 2026–27
- Australian region cyclone seasons: 2025–26, 2026–27
- South Pacific cyclone seasons: 2025–26, 2026–27
