Florida hurricane season: when to go and how to prepare (2026)
Short answer
The official season runs from June 1 to November 30, peaking around September 10. The risk is still real in October (Milton struck on October 9, 2024), then drops sharply in November. For a winter stay from December to April, the hurricane risk is very low. In the fall, get trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and find out your evacuation zone.
Which months are riskiest?
| Period | Risk | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| June to July | Low to moderate | Start of the season |
| Mid-August to mid-October | Highest | Peak around September 10 |
| Late October | Moderate | Wilma (Oct. 24, 2005), Michael (Oct. 10, 2018), Milton (Oct. 9, 2024) |
| November | Low | Latest to hit South Florida: November 4, 1935 |
| December to May | Very low | Off season |
In South Florida, more than 60% of landfalling hurricanes arrive after the September peak. In October, storms form mostly in the western Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.
What's the forecast for 2026?
In May 2026, NOAA gave a 55% chance of a below-normal season (8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes, including 1 to 3 major ones), because of El Niño. A quiet season doesn't mean zero risk: it only takes one storm in the wrong place.
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Before you leave in the fall
- Cancellation and interruption insurance: check that it covers a hurricane, and from when (a storm that has already been named is often no longer covered).
- Registration of Canadians Abroad: the Government of Canada can reach you in an emergency.
- Evacuation zone: look up the one for your address on the county website.
- Gulf Coast: Fort Myers Beach and St. Pete Beach are still rebuilding after Ian, Helene and Milton. Check the condition of the rental and local services before booking.
Watch or warning: the difference
| Alert | Lead time | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane watch | About 48 hours before | Fill up the tank, withdraw cash, get documents and medications ready |
| Hurricane warning | About 36 hours before | Follow local instructions; evacuate if told to |
Golden rule: never drive through water. Most storm-related deaths are caused by water, not wind.
Key takeaways
- Highest risk from mid-August to mid-October, low in November.
- December to April stay: very low risk.
- In the fall: cancellation and interruption insurance, and know your evacuation zone.
- Never drive through water.
Leave without forgetting anything
The complete checklist: more than 65 items to tick off, from 2 months before you leave until you're back. 6-page PDF, 2026 rules.
See the checklist ($9)Official sources
- NOAA, National Hurricane Center — Climatology
- Government of Canada — Hurricanes
- WPTV — The October risk
General information only. During a storm, always follow the instructions of local authorities.