- Will any Category 5 hurricane make landfall in the US in before 2027?3¢3%
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season's pronounced suppression under developing El Niño conditions, which have elevated vertical wind shear across the main development region, stands as the dominant factor behind the 95.9% market-implied probability of no Category 5 landfall in the conterminous United States before 2027. Only one hurricane, Isaias, has formed so far, making landfall as a Category 2 near Destin, Florida, in mid-October amid hostile steering and shear patterns. Historical records show just four such intense U.S. mainland strikes since 1851, underscoring their rarity even in active seasons. With the season nearing its close and official outlooks from NOAA and Colorado State University favoring below-normal activity through November, only an anomalous late-season rapid intensification over unusually warm Gulf waters could alter the outcome.
Rules
For the purposes of this market, a Category 5 hurricane is a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 157 mph or higher, as described at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php, and a hurricane landfall is said to occur when the hurricane's surface center intersects with the coastline, as described at https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutgloss.shtml#LANDFALL. This market will resolve to "Yes" if any storm makes landfall in the conterminous United States as a Category 5 hurricane, as reported in official National Hurricane Center advisories (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2023/IDALIA.shtml?) between market creation and December 31, 2026, 11:59 PM ET. Otherwise, this market will resolve to “No”. This market may resolve based on the initial advisory released by the NHC for whether any storm has made landfall in the conterminous United States at Category 5 strength, regardless of any later retraction or analysis that may contradict the initial qualifying announcement. However, subsequent corrections or updates will be considered if they indicate a qualifying incident.