2026 tropical cyclone seasons worldwide
So far in 2026, 81 storms have reached tropical-storm strength across the six ocean basins. 34 of them have reached hurricane or typhoon strength (64 kt) and 20 have become major storms (96 kt or more). The strongest was Hurricane Polo in the East Pacific, at 180 mph. The Southern Hemisphere figures are the 2025–26 season, which IBTrACS files under 2026.
2026 at a glance
- Storms at tropical-storm strength (34 kt+): 81, from 84 systems tracked.
- Hurricanes and typhoons (64 kt+): 34.
- Major storms (96 kt+): 20, 7 of them at Category 5 strength.
- Accumulated cyclone energy, all basins: 693, 87% of the 800 that the six basins produce in an average year (1991–2020).
- Strongest storm worldwide: Hurricane Polo, East Pacific, 180 mph (155 kt), 892 mb.
- Most active basin against its average: East Pacific, with 158% of its average accumulated cyclone energy so far.
- Least active against its average: North Indian, at 4%.
- Active now: 3 storms in the Atlantic and Pacific.
Each basin in 2026
Counts so far against each basin’s 1991–2020 average. Open a basin for its 2026 track map, every storm and its landfalls.
Atlantic hurricane season
2026 season
6 named (average 14.4), 0 hurricanes (average 7.2). Strongest: Tropical Storm Fay, 70 mph.
East Pacific hurricane season
2026 season
18 named (average 15.6), 9 hurricanes (average 8.4). Strongest: Hurricane Polo, 180 mph.
3 active now
Central Pacific hurricane season
2026 season
2 named (average 1.6), 1 hurricane (average 0.8). Strongest: Hurricane Lala, 130 mph.
West Pacific typhoon season
2026 season
23 named (average 25.5), 9 typhoons (average 15.8). Strongest: Super Typhoon Sinlaku, 175 mph.
North Indian cyclone season
2026 season
1 named (average 6.3), 0 at hurricane strength (average 2.0). Strongest: Tropical Storm 1B, 50 mph.
Southern Hemisphere cyclone season
2025–26 season
31 named (average 26.7), 15 at hurricane strength (average 13.8). Strongest: Cyclone Horacio, 160 mph.
Strongest storms of 2026
| Storm | Basin | Peak wind | Min pressure | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polo | East Pacific | C5 180 mph | 892 mb | – |
| Sinlaku | West Pacific | C5 175 mph | 896 mb | – |
| Bavi | West Pacific | C5 175 mph | 901 mb | – |
| Dolphin | West Pacific | C5 165 mph | 915 mb | – |
| Lowell | East Pacific | C5 160 mph | 922 mb | – |
Peak winds are 1-minute sustained winds from the NHC and JTWC best tracks, so storms in different basins compare on the same scale.