Welcome to the Start of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season

news image
Special Stories
1 Jun 2023 8:45 PM

Welcome to the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season as it begins on June 1. Hurricane season in the Atlantic basin runs from June 1 through November 30 every year as it is when climatologically, the most hurricanes form. Sometimes we can have tropical systems outside of the window, and did, as recently as January 2023, when a subtropical low formed off the U.S. East Coast. Now, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has identified TROPICAL DEPRESSION TWO in the Gulf.

This year the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is calling for a "near normal" season forecast in their range of storms. They balance the impact of El Nino and the warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic basin for the reasoning behind their forecast. Colorado State University forecasters originally called for a "below average" season in their initial outlook on April 13. However, an update to their forecast on June 1 called for an increase in the number of named storms from 13 to 15 and the number of hurricanes and major hurricanes each increased by 1 to the forecast (new numbers below).

This year looks to be a bit different than the previous three seasons, the reasoning being that we are now into an ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) Neutral state, where there are no large scale interactions between waters in the equatorial pacific ocean and the atmosphere. The last three years we were in a La Nina, which contributes to an above average hurricane season. In 2020 and 2021 we saw above average (the #1 and #2 most active seasons on record) in the Atlantic Basin. In 2022, we have a near normal season with 14 named storms, 8 hurricanes and 2 major hurricanes (Fiona and Ian, both names have since been retired). If you remember the 2022 season, we had quite the lull in activity during July and August, before the season reared its head in September. There is high confidence that we transition from ENSO Neutral into an El Nino pattern later this year, around the peak of hurricane season in mid-September. El Nino years typically have below average storm conditions.

Stay with WeatherNation throughout the tropical weather season for the latest forecast updates, storm tracks and impacts. We are always streaming 24/7 for free!

All Weather News
More
Active Pattern Takes Shape Across the Upper Midwest

Active Pattern Takes Shape Across the Upper Midwest

A changing weather pattern will bring several

12 Sep 2026 2:10 AM
Low Pressure Keeps the East Stormy into the Weekend

Low Pressure Keeps the East Stormy into the Weekend

Storms will continue to track through the Eas

12 Sep 2026 2:00 AM
Tropics: Power Restoration Progresses in Kauai, Norbert Tracks West

Tropics: Power Restoration Progresses in Kauai, Norbert Tracks West

The Pacific Ocean has been incredibly active

12 Sep 2026 1:55 AM
NEW: 2026 Hottest U.S. Summer On Record

NEW: 2026 Hottest U.S. Summer On Record

If it felt like this summer was relentless an

12 Sep 2026 12:50 AM
Atlantic Breaks Record For Latest First Hurricane

Atlantic Breaks Record For Latest First Hurricane

For the first time in the satellite era (sinc

12 Sep 2026 12:45 AM
High Heat & Humidity Across the Southwest

High Heat & Humidity Across the Southwest

Temperatures not only broke records on Wednes

10 Sep 2026 11:10 AM
Rounds of Severe Storms Target the Plains

Rounds of Severe Storms Target the Plains

The plains have had an active summer. Severe

10 Sep 2026 10:15 AM