NOAA releases 2026 Atlantic hurricane season outlook

Officials start to summer this weekend. Hurricane season is not far behind, and today the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration releasing its outlook for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. The federal organization is tracking a below-average season for this year. Meteorologist Don Schwimmenecker with our sister station, WTVD, has the details from Lakeland, Florida. Inside the NOAA core hangar in Lakeland, Florida, are some of the most powerful tools used to predict where a hurricane is headed. Today, we learned that thanks to El Nino, the hurricane season should be lower than average, with 8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes, and 1 to 3 major storms. Even so, it takes just one storm to cause catastrophe. Believe it or not, lately, the most dangerous part of a hurricane happens after it passes. Just because a storm has passed doesn't mean you're out of danger. So you think about downed power lines, and they could be still alive. Just because they're on the ground doesn't mean they're not charged with electricity. And you think about the dangers of fallen trees, you think about the dangers of driving debris, all that. You've got to be careful after the fact. Director Graham also reminded us that now is the time to prepare when there aren't any lines at a grocery or hardware store. That way, you're not fighting the crowds when the storm is barreling down on the Delaware Valley. In Lakeland, Florida, I'm meteorologist Don Schwedeker for Action News at 10 on PHL 17.