On Thursday, May 21, NOAA will issue its first prediction for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, highlighting how a forecasted strong El Niño could impact tropical development this year. However, this is just one force at play — with climate change’s role in fueling stronger storms likely not to be mentioned in their official forecast.
Ahead of your coverage of NOAA’s outlook announcement, join Covering Climate Now and Climate Central for a special webinar aimed to paint a more complete picture of the factors, both natural and human-caused, influencing this hurricane season.
In this press briefing, meteorologists and reporters from hurricane-prone areas will highlight how to examine climate change’s “fingerprint” on warm ocean waters, provide expert analysis of what 2025’s hurricanes can tell us about this season, and explore tips to effectively make the climate connection when reporting on this year’s forecast.
Panelists
- Daniel Gilford, climate scientist, Climate Central
- Fernanda Ramos Garces, meteorologist, Univision Houston
- Kelesha Williams, climate reporter, Jamaica