The 2026 Pacific hurricane season is the current Pacific hurricane season in the Northern Hemisphere. The season officially began on May 15, 2026, and will end on November 30, 2026. For the Central Pacific (140°W to 180°), the season began on June 1, 2026, and will end on November 30, 2026, with the most active period typically occurring between July and October. Those dates, adopted by convention, describe the period in which most tropical cyclogenesis occurs in the Pacific Ocean. This season has produced the highest accumulated cyclone energy value on record in the basin, surpassing the 2018 season. With three Category 5 Pacific hurricanes having formed this season, it is tied with the 1994, 2002, and 2018 seasons as the season with the most Category 5 hurricanes, and with eleven major hurricanes, it is tied with the 2015 as the season with the most major hurricanes.
The first system of the season, Tropical Storm Amanda, formed in the open eastern Pacific on June 2. In July, Hurricane Fausto became the first hurricane, while Hurricane Genevieve became the first major hurricane, and first Category 5 hurricane, of the season. In August, Hurricane Lala became the first hurricane to directly hit the Big Island of Hawaii since 1871 while also becoming Hawaii's third-wettest tropical cyclone on record. In September, Lowell became the second Category 5 hurricane of the season and the first hurricane to directly impact Kauaʻi County since Hurricane Iniki in 1992. Later that month, Hurricane Polo became the record-tying third Category 5 hurricane of the season and the second-most-intense Pacific hurricane by central pressure on record.
Seasonal forecasts
In advance of each Pacific hurricane season, forecasts of hurricane activity are issued by forecasters from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Climate Prediction Center, and Mexico's Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN). The forecasts include weekly and monthly changes in significant factors that help determine the amount of tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes within a particular season.
According to NOAA, the average Pacific hurricane season between 1991 and 2020 contained about 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes (Category 3 and higher), as well as a median accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index of 75.38–110.55 units. Broadly speaking, ACE is the measure of the power of a tropical or subtropical cyclone multiplied by the length of time it existed. ACE is only calculated for full advisories on specific tropical or subtropical cyclones reaching wind speeds of 39 mph (63 km/h) or higher. NOAA typically describes a season as above-average, average, or below-average depending on the cumulative ACE index, but the number of tropical storms, hurricanes or major hurricanes can also be considered.
On April 22, 2026, Mexico's National Meteorological Service (SMN) issued its forecast for the Pacific hurricane season, predicting an above-average season with 18–21 named storms,9–11 hurricanes and 4–5 major hurricanes. On May 21, 2026, NOAA issued its forecast, also calling for an above-average season with 15–22 named storms, 9–14 hurricanes, and 5–9 major hurricanes. NOAA forecasted that these elevated numbers would materialize due to a strong El Niño event during the season.
Seasonal summary
Officially, the 2026 Pacific hurricane season began on May 15 in the Eastern Pacific, on June 1 in the Central Pacific, and both will end on November 30. Altogether, twenty-five tropical cyclones have formed, twenty-two in the Eastern Pacific and three in the Central Pacific, and all but one became named storms. Thirteen of the storms strengthened into hurricanes, with eleven of them intensifying into major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher in the Saffir-Simpson scale).
The accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index within the eastern Pacific Ocean, officially calculated by the National Hurricane Center (NHC), is 247.6 units, the second-highest value on record, after 1992, while the index within the Central Pacific Ocean is 108.5 units, the third-highest on record. The total over the two basins, as of October 31, is 356.1 units, which is the highest accumulated cyclone energy value recorded in the basin.
The Pacific hurricane season had an exceptionally strong start, with three named systems developing by early June—the most active opening to a season in the basin since 1985. On June 2, Tropical Storm Amanda formed in the open Pacific, becoming the first tropical cyclone of the season. Five days later, Tropical Storm Boris formed off the southwestern coast of Mexico, followed by Tropical Storm Cristina the next day off the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. Boris caused damage in southern Mexico while Cristina brought torrential rain throughout Central America. In early July, Tropical Storm Douglas formed in the open Pacific, without affecting any land. Tropical Storm Fausto formed on July 19 and subsequently became the first hurricane of the season; Fausto crossed into the central Pacific a week later. On July 24, Hurricane Genevieve formed near the coast of Mexico and, a few days later, became the first major hurricane of the season. Genevieve ultimately became the first Category 5 hurricane in the basin since Kristy in 2024.
In September, Hurricane Lowell became the first Pacific hurricane to reach Category 5 intensity twice since Hurricane Ioke in 2006. Later that month, Hurricane Polo not only repeated that feat but also reached Category 5 a third time, a first for Pacific hurricanes. It also became the second-most-intense Pacific hurricane ever recorded, after Hurricane Patricia, with a pressure of 892 mbar (26.34 inHg), and accumulated the longest total time at Category 5 intensity of any Pacific hurricane.
Systems
Tropical Storm Amanda
On May 31, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted that an area of low pressure could form well to the southwest of the Baja California Peninsula. The system quickly organized over time and was designated as Tropical Depression One-E on June 2. The next day, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm and was named Amanda. Through June 3 to June 4, Amanda strengthened and organized slightly, though suffering from some wind shear. On June 5, Amanda began weakening and its center became completely exposed. On June 6, Amanda weakened into a tropical depression in the face of shear and dry air, though warm waters allowed Amanda to continue producing some convection. Amanda continued to wane through June 7 as environmental shear and dry air increased. By June 8, Amanda lacked enough convection to be considered a tropical cyclone, transitioning into a remnant low.
Tropical Storm Boris
On June 3, the NHC noted the possibility of an area of low pressure forming off the southwestern coast of Mexico. On June 7, an Oceansat-3 pass had indicated that the disturbance had consolidated a closed low-level circulation, the low was classified as Tropical Depression Two-E at 15:00 UTC. Early the next day, the system acquired tropical storm-force winds and received the name Boris. On June 9, Boris made landfall on the far southwestern coast of Oaxaca, the rugged terrain causing it to quickly weaken, transitioning into a post-tropical cyclone and dissipating soon afterward..
One person died in Manzanillo, Colima, in rough seas. Two additional people were swept away by rough surf in Tecomán and later found dead. Commercial losses in Acapulco were estimated at Mex$1.5 billion (US$87.1 million). In Oaxaca, a man drowned after his truck was swept away by an overflowing river. An outdoor theater worth Mex$54 million (US$3.16 million) was destroyed by swells. As of July 2026, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. estimated that losses totaled to US$100 million.
Tropical Storm Cristina
On June 3, the NHC noted the possibility of an area of low pressure forming off the western coast of Central America. On June 8, the low organized into a tropical depression and was designated Tropical Depression Three-E. Soon thereafter, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm, being named Cristina while simultaneously reaching it's peak intensity. Cristina then started to weaken due to interaction with nearby land. Cristina then continued to weaken, opening up into a trough on June 11. The trough then merged with a low pressure system which later produced heavy rainfall along the western Gulf of Mexico coast.
Prior to becoming a tropical depression, Cristina produced heavy rains that caused flooding in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, killing a 60-year-old man and disrupting traffic. In Santa Cruz, Costa Rica, five people were left missing after heavy winds attributed to Cristina capsized two boats. Across El Salvador, 58 damaged or flooded homes, 11 affected vehicles, 38 fallen trees, 34 blocked roads and 5 landslides were reported. In Acajutla, residents and business owners estimated that losses totaled to US$150,000. Heavy rainfall related to Cristina, combined with the effects of the local rainy season, resulted in five deaths and three injuries in Guatemala; two deaths occurred each in Momostenango and Casillas and a child died in Senahú. In Chiapas, heavy rainfall from Cristina caused flooding. A man was found dead after being swept away by an overflowing river.
Tropical Storm Douglas
On June 21, the NHC began monitoring a disturbance off the southwestern coast of Mexico, noting the possibility of tropical development. On July 1, the low pressure system organized and was classified as Tropical Depression Four-E. Later that day, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm and received the name Douglas. The system maintained its intensity until July 3, when it weakened into a post-tropical low.
Tropical Storm Elida
On July 7, at 06:00 UTC, the NHC began monitoring a disturbance off the coast of southern Mexico. On July 14 at 18:00 UTC, the system organized into a tropical depression and was designated Five-E. The next day, the depression was strengthened into a tropical storm and was given the name Elida. Strengthening, Elida attained its peak intensity on July 18. The storm then started to weaken, and became post-tropical on July 20.
Elida impacted Clarion Island with strong winds and rough seas throughout July 16. Swells related to the remnants of Elida as well as the further distant Hurricanes Fausto and Genevieve on July 25 impacted produced significant swells on the California coast. A total of 464 water rescues took place in San Diego while another 160 rescues took place in Oceanside. The Los Angeles County Fire Department performed a record 1,950 rescues on July 25. Further north, more than 25 rescues occurred at beaches in the Santa Cruz area that same day. A lifeguard who was caught on video performing one of these rescues in Santa Cruz was invited to the White House to receive a high civilian honor.
Hurricane Fausto
On July 12, the NHC began monitoring an area for development. The low organized and was designated Tropical Depression Six-E at 03:00 UTC on July 19. The depression continued to organize and strengthened to Tropical Storm Fausto at 21:00 UTC later that day. Fausto strengthened slowly over the next few days, and strengthened into a hurricane at 03:00 UTC on July 22. The storm then became a Category 2 hurricane on July 24. Fausto then started to weaken, and lost hurricane status on July 28. Fausto, continuing to weaken, ultimately degenerating into a remnant low the following day.
Fausto impacted the Revillagigedo Islands with strong winds and rough seas throughout July 20. Significant swells from Fausto also affected the California coast in conjunction with the remnants of Elida and the developing Genevieve.
Hurricane Genevieve
A tropical wave that moved off the west coast of Africa on July 13 crossed Central America and exited into the Eastern Pacific by July 21. A low-pressure area formed on July 22 to the south of Mexico. It developed into a tropical depression at 06:00 UTC on July 24, and intensified into Tropical Storm Genevieve six hours later. Just over a day later, Genevieve attained hurricane status, amid low wind shear and warm waters. It moved west-northwestward due to a powerful ridge to its northeast. Genevieve rapidly intensified, becoming a major hurricane at 12:00 UTC on July 26, It was quickly upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane as it cleared out a warm and symmetric eye. Based on several satellite estimates, the NHC upgraded Genevieve to a Category 5 hurricane at 06:00 UTC on July 27, with peak winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 924 mbar (27.32 inHg). Soon after its peak, Genevieve began an eyewall replacement cycle, as the eye became cloud-filled and replaced by an outer eyewall. On July 28, Genevieve fell to a Category 3 hurricane after being affected by dry air and wind shear. The hurricane unexpectedly re-intensified to a Category 4 hurricane on July 29. After this brief resurgence, Genevieve resumed weakening due to the dry air and wind shear, and its eye collapsed. The deepest convection became displaced to the south and east of its center. At 00:00 UTC on July 31, Genevieve was downgraded to a tropical storm. Genevieve continued to weaken and degenerated to a post-tropical cyclone at 18:00 UTC on August 2.