Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Mexico’s National Meteorological Service (SMN) has released figure forecasts for the Atlantic and Pacific 2026 hurricane season. According to the SMN, this year, Mexico’s Pacific side will be a lot more active than the Atlantic.
The SMN (Servicio Meteorológico Nacional), which is part of Mexico’s National Water Commission (Conagua), is forecasting at least 18 named storms for the Eastern Pacific and 11 for the Atlantic.
According to the SMN, Mexico’s Pacific side can expect between nine and 10 tropical storms and five and six category 1 and 2 hurricanes this year. They are also predicting four or five major hurricanes of a category 3 status or higher.
A total of 18 to 21 systems are predicted for the Eastern Pacific during the 2026 season. For the Atlantic Basin, 11 to 15 systems are forecast for the 2026 hurricane season.
Last year, the Eastern Pacific recorded 18 named storms and 11 hurricanes, four of which were major category 3 or higher.
The SMN says Mexico’s Atlantic will likely see between seven and eight tropical storm and three to five category 1 or 2 hurricanes. As for major hurricanes, they are forecasting only one or two for the Atlantic this year.
During the 2025 season, the Atlantic Basin recorded 13 named storms and five hurricanes, four of which became major.
The Eastern North Pacific storm names for 2026 are Amanda, Boris, Cristina, Douglas, Elida, Fausto, Genevieve, Hernan, Iselle, Julio, Karina, Lowell, Marie, Norbert, Odalys, Polo, Rachel, Simon, Trudy, Vance, Winnie, Xavier, Yolanda and Zeke.
Storm names for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season include Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Leah, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky and Wilfred.
Last year, the World Meteorological Organization retired storm name Melissa that gained category 5 status before slamming Jamaica in October of 2025.
The Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30, while the Atlantic starts a little later, running from June 1 to November 30.
Last month, Colorado State University forecast a below average Atlantic hurricane season this year, but say things could ramp up in the Fall.
