The Atlantic hurricane season officially spans from June 1 to November 30, when tropical and subtropical cyclones are most likely to form in the North Atlantic Ocean, with peak activity typically occurring from late August to September, centered around September 10. During this period, storms reaching tropical storm intensity are named; on average, 14 named storms occur each season, with 7 becoming hurricanes and 3 escalating to major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher). The 2020 season set a record with 30 named tropical cyclones, though the 2005 season recorded more hurricanes with 15, starkly contrasting the least active year, 1914, which saw only one known storm.

The recognition of a specific hurricane period dates back centuries, with early observers like William Dampier in the 17th century noting their prevalence in the Caribbean from July to September. This understanding significantly influenced 18th-century mariners and European naval operations, as figures such as Admiral Edward Vernon highlighted the "hurricane months" of August and September as critical for maritime logistics in the West Indies. Over time, the concept evolved from varied historical delineations by meteorologists like William Charles Redfield to becoming a crucial element in modern forecasting operations by the United States Weather Bureau, despite the ongoing possibility of cyclogenesis outside these conventional bounds.