When Is Hurricane Season in the USA? Atlantic & Pacific Timing

Most U.S. hurricane risk clusters between late spring and late fall—but each basin has its own calendar.

“Hurricane season” is not a single national date. The United States spans three official basins that affect different coastlines at different times: the Atlantic (Gulf and East Coast), the Eastern Pacific (Mexico’s Pacific coast, with remnant impacts to the U.S. Southwest), and the Central Pacific (Hawaii). Knowing the official dates, peak months, and recent trends helps people, businesses, and agencies time their preparations.

Official U.S. Hurricane Season Dates by Basin

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30. While storms can form outside these dates, most activity occurs in late summer and early fall. 

The Eastern Pacific season begins earlier—on May 15—and also ends on November 30. The statistical peak spans July through September. 

The Central Pacific season (Hawaii) runs from June 1 to November 30. Even in “quiet” outlooks, forecasters emphasize preparedness because rare but intense events can occur.

Why the Peak Shifts by Month

The classic Atlantic peak—August through October—aligns with warmest sea-surface temperatures, reduced vertical wind shear, and robust African easterly waves. The Eastern Pacific often wakes up earlier because nearshore waters warm quickly in late spring; activity then migrates westward as the season progresses. Climatology studies from NOAA/NHC show that while the official windows are fixed, monthly risk changes significantly: June and November tend to see fewer, more marginal systems; September is often the most active Atlantic month. 

Recent Seasons at a Glance

The 2023 Atlantic season ended with 20 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes, with total ACE above the long-term average.

In the Eastern Pacific, 2023 will be remembered in the U.S. for Hurricane Hilary’s exceptional remnant rainfall over the Southwest—delivering record precipitation to areas unaccustomed to tropical downpours.

Case Studies: What Recent Storms Teach About Timing

Hurricane Idalia (2023, Atlantic)

Idalia made landfall on Florida’s Big Bend as a Category 3 hurricane on the morning of August 30, 2023, aligning closely with the climatological peak. Peak sustained winds reached 125 mph, and storm surge inundated parts of Taylor and Dixie Counties. Idalia underscores why the late-August to mid-September window is so dangerous for the Gulf Coast.

Hurricane Hilary (2023, Eastern Pacific)

In August 2023, Hilary tracked northward off Baja California before weakening, yet its remnants delivered historic rainfall into the U.S. Southwest—including Southern California—where tropical cyclone impacts are rare. That timing—during the Pacific’s summer peak—illustrates how EPac storms, even if they don’t make U.S. landfall, can bring life-threatening floods to inland deserts and mountain ranges.

Hurricane Ian (2022, Atlantic)

Ian reached Category 4 intensity and struck southwest Florida in late September 2022—smack in the heart of the Atlantic peak. The storm’s surge and rainfall impacts across multiple states reveal how quickly preparedness must escalate once sea-surface heat and atmospheric conditions align.

Atlantic vs. Pacific: Season Timing and Typical Impacts

• Atlantic (June–Nov): U.S. risk focuses on the Gulf Coast, Florida, Southeast, and occasionally the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Peak months are Aug–Oct, with September often the most active.
• Eastern Pacific (May–Nov): Most storms track west or northwest, affecting Mexico’s Pacific coast. U.S. impacts tend to be indirect (remnant rainfall) but can be severe, as seen with Hilary.
• Central Pacific (June–Nov): Fewer systems overall, but Hawaii’s exposure rises in late summer and early fall.

How Outlooks Fit In (and Why You Still Prepare)

Each spring, NOAA issues seasonal outlooks that estimate the probability of above-, near-, or below-normal activity. These outlooks consider sea-surface temperatures, El Niño/La Niña, and wind shear. For example, NOAA’s 2025 announcements reiterated the official Atlantic dates and provided basin-wide odds; regardless of the forecast slice, preparedness guidance remains the same—because it only takes one storm for local devastation.

What to Do Before, During, and After the Season

Whether you live in Florida, along the Gulf, on the Outer Banks, in Puerto Rico, in Hawaii, or in the desert Southwest, tie your personal or business readiness to the official season windows.

• Before season: Build or update a hurricane kit, review insurance, and harden property. Schedule maintenance checks for generators and sump pumps.
• During season: Track official advisories and cone graphics from the National Hurricane Center. Follow local emergency management instructions.
• After events: Document damage, beware of hazards (downed lines, contaminated water), and use only reputable contractors.

Where to Go Next

• States Most Affected by Hurricanes in the US
• How to Prepare for Hurricane Season
• The Role of NOAA and the National Hurricane Center
• Atlantic vs Pacific Hurricane Season
• Hurricane Categories Explained
• What to Include in a Hurricane Emergency Kit