The Eastern Pacific basin (east of 140°W) officially opens for business on . This earlier date exists because this region warms up faster than the Atlantic. The Pacific hurricane season also ends on November 30, often with storms drifting toward the Hawaiian archipelago as "post-season" threats. The Northern Atlantic: The "Cape Verde" Caveat Even within the Atlantic, the start date is somewhat theoretical. A tropical storm forming in the Gulf of Mexico in early June is rare but possible. However, the "true" start of the intense hurricane activity—the long-track Cape Verde storms—does not begin until mid-August.
While June 1 is the official start, scientists have noticed a troubling trend over the last decade: storms are forming before the bell rings. In 2023, an unnamed subtropical storm formed in January. In 2021, Tropical Storm Ana formed on May 22. Climatologists call this a shift toward a "longer season," though the peak remains firmly in September. The Eastern Pacific: May 15 – November 30 For the west coast of Mexico and the Hawaiian Islands, the hurricane season starts two and a half weeks earlier . when do hurricane season start
But is that the universal answer? Not exactly. Depending on where you live—from the bustling ports of Shanghai to the vulnerable deltas of Bangladesh—the answer to "when does hurricane season start?" varies significantly. The Eastern Pacific basin (east of 140°W) officially
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1, 2024, and ends November 30, 2024. The Northern Atlantic: The "Cape Verde" Caveat Even
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) selected these dates because they encompass more than 97% of all tropical cyclone activity. Historically, June 1 represents the statistical shift when ocean temperatures become warm enough (typically 26.5°C or 80°F) and wind shear low enough to support organized thunderstorm development.
For decades, the season ended on October 31. But after a major hurricane hit Miami in November 1935, the bureau extended the season to November 30. To answer the original question simply: Hurricane season starts on June 1 in the Atlantic.