Americans along the nation’s hurricane ‑prone coastlines are being urged to prepare as a new seasonal outlook shows a meaningful chance that a major hurricane could strike U.S. shores during the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season, even as overall storm activity is forecast to run below average.

Experts from Colorado State University released their first predictions for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which included a state-by-state forecast.

Colorado State University’s 2026 Atlantic hurricane season outlook calls for below-normal activity across the Atlantic basin due to a likely transition into an El Niño.

Florida remains the most vulnerable state even with a quieter outlook as Colorado State University forecasters warn of a possible season wild card.

While tropical activity is likely to be below average, there's still a legitimate chance that a hurricane could affect Texas this year.

Massachusetts has a 24% chance of being impacted by a tropical storm and a 10% chance of being impacted by a hurricane in 2026, according to CSU. According to CSU predictions, these Massachusetts counties face the highest chance of being impacted by a tropical storm or hurricane in 2026:

The cyclone made its first landfall in Australia as a powerful Category 4 storm. Meanwhile, the Atlantic Hurricane season starts in June.