The National Hurricane Center announced the first named tropical storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, Tropical Storm Arthur.
"Tropical Storm Arthur is expected to produce rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches, with isolated higher totals near 20 inches, through” early June 19, 2026, along a large part of the U.S. coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said in its advisory.
Effects on the Florida Panhandle
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the storm has “potentially life-threatening flash flooding and urban flooding” across southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, southwestern Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle from June 17-19, 2026.
Despite not posing a direct threat to the state of Florida, the western Panhandle could still see roughly 5 to 7 inches of rain, along with potential flooding over the span of two days.
The storm will also bring a tornado threat to southern Texas, southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle, according to NOAA.
2026 Season Expectations
In May 2026, NOAA predicted that a total of 8-14 named storms would arise during the 2026 season.
Of that range, 3-6 are expected to become hurricanes, with 1-3 being major hurricanes.
“NOAA has 70% confidence in these ranges,” NOAA wrote.
On average, a hurricane season has 14 named storms, including 7 hurricanes and three major ones.
In preparation for the season, the World Meteorological Organization released the 2026 Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Names: Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Leah, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky, and Wilfred.
The Atlantic Hurricane season began on June 1, 2026, and is said to run until November 30, 2026.
NOAA Affirms The Most Accurate Forecasts Possible
“NOAA’s rapid integration of advanced technology, including AI-based weather models, drones, and next-generation satellite data will deliver actionable science to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the American people,” said NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs, Ph.D. “These new capabilities, combined with the unmatched expertise of our National Weather Service forecasters, will produce the most accurate forecasts possible to protect communities in harm’s way.”
