Local News
Hurricane season update: eight named storms and no hurricanes so far, as NHC watches a Gulf system
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has produced eight named storms and no hurricanes so far, according to the Office of Disaster Management and the National Hurricane Center. As of 8:00 a.m. AST on Oct 6, the NHC gave a system in the southwestern Gulf a 90% chance of forming.
By SXM Daily ·
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has produced eight named storms so far, and none has reached hurricane strength, according to Sint Maarten's Office of Disaster Management (ODM) and the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). The season runs until November 30.
What the NHC is watching
As of 8:00 a.m. AST on Oct 6, the NHC reported no tropical cyclones in the Atlantic. In its Tropical Weather Outlook issued at that time, it gave a broad area of low pressure over the southwestern Gulf, designated AL92, a 90% chance of forming within 48 hours and a 90% chance within seven days. The NHC said a tropical depression is expected to form over the next day or so.
According to the NHC, the system could bring gusty winds and heavy rain to western parts of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, then turn north or northeast toward the northern U.S. Gulf Coast by the end of the week. The system is in the Gulf, far from Sint Maarten, and the NHC's outlook does not mention the northeastern Caribbean.
Forecasts can change quickly. Check the NHC's latest outlook and local advisories for updates.
The season so far
In an October 1 release, Fire Chief and National Disaster Coordinator Clive Richardson listed the eight named storms: Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo and Hanna. The NHC's 2026 archive shows the same list. ODM also cited a Colorado State University two-week forecast from September 30 that favoured below-normal storm formation, and reminded residents that it only takes one hurricane to make a bad season.
Emergency phone alerts
According to SMN News, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina told Parliament on October 1 that the planned cell-broadcast alert system had passed a controlled test but was awaiting final payments to TELEM. No launch date has been announced. According to BTP, the US$650,000 Trust Fund project was agreed in May 2025.
Where to get official information
ODM points residents to sintmaartengov.org/hurricane, Government Radio SXMGOV 107.9 FM, the @SXMGOV Facebook page and the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS) at meteosxm.com.
Sources
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https://www.sintmaartengov.org/news/Pages/press-release.aspx?slug=odm-forecasters-continue-to-favor-below-normal-storm-activity-remain-vigilant
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https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?basin=atlc
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https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2026/
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https://smn-news.com/index.php/st-maarten-st-martin-news/51897-emergency-alert-system-awaits-payment-as-mercelina-sets-disaster-planning-targets-for-late-2027.html
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https://btp.sx/prime-minister-signs-agreement-to-launch-cell-broadcast--139.html
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https://www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane