Although hurricanes can form as early as late May in the Caribbean Sea or the Gulf of Mexico, the official Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 and ends November 30.
During this time, the National Hurricane Center ( NHC ) maintains a continuous watch on tropical cyclones over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. The Hurricane Center also issues watches and warnings for the public.
Hurricane season reaches its peak in mid-August through October. The majority of hurricanes make landfall in September, but that doesn't mean that powerful storms can't hit during other parts of the season. Both Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Camille were August storms.
While it is possible for a strong hurricane to develop in November, it is usually quite unlikely. Generally, the warm water temperatures needed to generate hurricanes are not in place in later fall, especially for hurricanes to develop over the Atlantic Ocean.
