The question of whether May is part of the hurricane season is a frequent concern for people in Florida and visitors. The timing of the Atlantic hurricane season is a common source of public confusion, particularly as tropical weather systems seem to occur earlier than expected. Understanding the official schedule and the realities of early-season storm formation is important for anyone living or traveling near the coast.
Defining Florida’s Official Hurricane Season
May is not included in the official period designated for the Atlantic hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) define the season as beginning on June 1st and running through November 30th. These six months were chosen because they encompass the vast majority of tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic basin, including the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico.
This official window accounts for over 97 percent of all tropical storms and hurricanes that form in the region. The dates are based on long-term climatological data, which show that conditions like warm sea surface temperatures and low vertical wind shear are most consistently present during this timeframe. The season’s peak activity, when the most intense storms develop, typically occurs much later, centered around September 10th.
Understanding May’s Pre-Season Storm Activity
While the formal season starts in June, tropical and subtropical systems often develop in May, creating the impression that the season has already begun. Named storms have consistently formed before the official June 1st start date in recent years. These early systems are frequently classified as subtropical, meaning they draw energy from temperature differences rather than solely from warm ocean water like a fully tropical storm.
These systems tend to be weaker and less organized than mid-season hurricanes, but they still pose threats to Florida, primarily from heavy rainfall and localized flooding. To account for this consistent early activity, the NHC began issuing routine Tropical Weather Outlooks starting May 15th, providing two weeks of advanced monitoring.
The increasing frequency of May storms has prompted discussions within NOAA and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) about potentially moving the official start date to May 15th. Until any official change is made, May remains a time when residents must monitor forecasts for the possibility of an early storm.
Essential Early Season Preparedness
Since the risk of a named storm exists in May, residents should use the month to complete their annual preparations for the season ahead. Completing these preparatory actions in May ensures readiness before the higher probability of storm formation begins in June.
Key preparedness steps include:
- Developing a detailed evacuation plan that identifies multiple routes and a designated safe location inland. This plan should be communicated to all household members and practiced.
- Reviewing and renewing homeowners and flood insurance policies, noting the typical 30-day waiting period before a new flood insurance policy takes effect.
- Assembling a basic emergency kit, including non-perishable food, water, medications, and a battery-powered radio.
- Identifying and signing up for local alert systems, which provide timely warnings about severe weather, evacuation orders, and shelter locations.