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Risk topic
Atlantic hurricane season
When Atlantic storms form, where they make landfall, what NHC categories mean — and how to get push alerts the moment a storm threatens your trip.
TL;DR
- Atlantic season: June 1 – November 30, with peak Aug 15 – Oct 15.
- Average season: 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, 3 major (Cat 3+).
- NHC issues advisories every 6 hours (every 3 hours within 48 h of landfall).
- Most named storms are trackable 5–7 days before landfall — enough to change a trip.
- TravelAlert aggregates NHC, NOAA and GDACS and pushes when a storm threatens your destination.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, with peak activity from mid-August through October. NOAA's National Hurricane Center (NHC) is the authoritative source for the basin. Caribbean destinations (Cancún, Punta Cana, Bahamas, Jamaica), the US Gulf Coast and Florida bear most landfalls.
When Atlantic hurricanes form
Formation peaks sharply in late August through October as Atlantic sea-surface temperatures and Saharan-dust loadings align. September 10th is the climatological peak. June and November storms occur but are typically weaker and less likely to make landfall.
- Peak: August 15 – October 15
- Climatological peak day: September 10
- Shoulder: June, late October, November
Where Atlantic hurricanes hit hardest
The Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico), the Bahamas, the Yucatán (Cancún, Riviera Maya, Cozumel) and the US Gulf and Atlantic coasts take most landfalls. Caribbean cruise ports and Florida are the highest-impact areas for travelers.
- Yucatán/Riviera Maya — exposed to peak-season major hurricanes
- Bahamas — narrow archipelago, hard to evacuate during landfall
- Florida (especially the Keys and SW coast)
- US Gulf Coast (Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, NW Florida)
- Greater Antilles (Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico)
What NHC categories actually mean
The Saffir-Simpson scale rates hurricanes 1–5 by sustained wind speed. Storm surge and rainfall are not directly captured by category but cause most fatalities. NHC's discussion text and the surge inundation maps are more useful for trip decisions than the category alone.
- Cat 1 (74–95 mph): roof and tree damage; widespread power loss possible
- Cat 2 (96–110 mph): extensive damage; long power outages
- Cat 3 (111–129 mph) — 'major': structural damage to well-built homes
- Cat 4 (130–156 mph): catastrophic damage; uninhabitable for weeks
- Cat 5 (157+ mph): catastrophic, region-wide destruction
What to do when a hurricane threatens your trip
By Day -5, the forecast 'cone of uncertainty' covers most likely landfall locations. By Day -3 it's usually narrowed to within 150 km. Contact your airline (not the OTA) — almost all issue hurricane waivers allowing free rebooking when a Cat 1+ landfall is forecast within 72 h. If you're already at the destination, hotels in major resorts typically have hurricane plans; follow them rather than improvising.
Official sources for this topic
No rumors — only verified agencies.
- National Hurricane Center (NHC)
Official Atlantic/E-Pacific tropical-cyclone advisories.
- NOAA
Storm surge, rainfall and watch/warning products.
- GDACS
UN-backed multi-hazard scoring including Atlantic storms.
Agency names and trademarks are property of their respective owners. TravelAlert is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of these organizations. We surface their publicly available data; we do not speak for them and do not guarantee accuracy, completeness, or timeliness.
Frequently asked questions
When is hurricane season in the Atlantic?
Officially June 1 to November 30, with peak activity mid-August through mid-October. September 10 is the climatological peak day.
Which Caribbean destinations are safest during hurricane season?
The ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) and Trinidad & Tobago sit below the main hurricane belt and are the lowest-risk Caribbean destinations Jun–Nov.
How much warning do you get before a hurricane?
5–7 days for most storms; the landfall location is typically forecast within 150 km by 3 days out.
Will my flight be cancelled if a hurricane is forecast?
If a Cat 1+ landfall is forecast within 72 h, almost all major airlines issue free rebooking waivers. Contact your airline directly — OTAs are slow to update.
Is travel insurance enough?
Most policies exclude 'foreseen' weather. Buy insurance before any storm is named in the basin, and check whether 'cancel for any reason' coverage is included.
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Open TravelAlertLast updated: 4 June 2026.