WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — United States (US) forecasters on Thursday predicted the Atlantic hurricane season is likely to be “below normal” in 2026, but cautioned that “it only takes one.”

Data on the eastern and central Pacific meanwhile shows a 70 per cent chance of “above normal” activity.

An expected El Nino weather pattern is largely driving the forecast, said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) head Neil Jacobs.