The hurricane season officially began on June 1, though the first tropical cyclone developed on May 21.
A total of 21 tropical and subtropical cyclones formed, but just 10 of them intensified into nameable storm systems.
This was about average compared to the 1950–2000 average of 9.6 named storms.
Six of these reached hurricane status, around the 1950–2000 average of 5.9.
Furthermore, three storms reached major hurricane status; close to the 1950–2000 average of 2.3.
Collectively, the cyclones of this season caused at least 84 deaths and about $101.63 million in damage.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially ended on November 30, with the final cyclone becoming extratropical on October 28.

The season was noted for a lack of activity in both the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
Just one fully tropical storm, Dottie, developed in the Gulf of Mexico and none in the Caribbean Sea.
Since 1900, only 1962 had fewer tropical storms (none) in those regions.
Suppression of activity in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean was primarily attributed to early intrusions of cold air – with unusually cold air masses impacting much of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains during October – and a persistent area of above average vertical wind shear over the western Caribbean.
Elsewhere, sea surface temperatures across the Atlantic basin were generally at or slightly above average during the middle of the season.

Tropical cyclogenesis began early, with the development of a subtropical storm on May 21.
Two tropical depression formed in June, though neither reached tropical storm status.
Another two depressions formed in July and also did not become tropical storms, followed by the development of Tropical Storm Anna on July 28.
August featured five of the season's ten named storms, including Tropical Storm Dottie and hurricanes Belle, Candice, Emmy, and Frances.
In September, six cyclones developed – a subtropical storm, Hurricane Gloria, and four tropical depressions that remained below tropical storm intensity.
Two more non-intensifying depressions formed in October.
Hurricane Holly, the final system, formed on October 22 and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on October 28.

The year's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 84, classifying it as a "near-normal" season.
ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs.
It is only calculated on tropical systems at or exceeding 39 mph (63 km/h), which is tropical storm strength.
The hurricane season officially began on June 1, though the first tropical cyclone developed on May 21. A total of 21 tropical and subtropical cyclones formed, but just 10 of them intensified into nameable storm systems. This was about average compared to the 1950–2000 average of 9.6 named storms. Six of these reached hurricane status, around the 1950–2000 average of 5.9. Furthermore, three storms reached major hurricane status; close to the 1950–2000 average of 2.3. Collectively, the cyclones of this season caused at least 84 deaths and about $101.63 million in damage. The Atlantic hurricane season officially ended on November 30, with the final cyclone becoming extratropical on October 28.
The season was noted for a lack of activity in both the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Just one fully tropical storm, Dottie, developed in the Gulf of Mexico and none in the Caribbean Sea. Since 1900, only 1962 had fewer tropical storms (none) in those regions. Suppression of activity in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean was primarily attributed to early intrusions of cold air – with unusually cold air masses impacting much of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains during October – and a persistent area of above average vertical wind shear over the western Caribbean. Elsewhere, sea surface temperatures across the Atlantic basin were generally at or slightly above average during the middle of the season. 
Tropical cyclogenesis began early, with the development of a subtropical storm on May 21. Two tropical depression formed in June, though neither reached tropical storm status. Another two depressions formed in July and also did not become tropical storms, followed by the development of Tropical Storm Anna on July 28. August featured five of the season's ten named storms, including Tropical Storm Dottie and hurricanes Belle, Candice, Emmy, and Frances. In September, six cyclones developed – a subtropical storm, Hurricane Gloria, and four tropical depressions that remained below tropical storm intensity. Two more non-intensifying depressions formed in October. Hurricane Holly, the final system, formed on October 22 and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on October 28.
The year's activity was reflected with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 84, classifying it as a "near-normal" season. ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs. It is only calculated on tropical systems at or exceeding 39 mph (63 km/h), which is tropical storm strength.
1976 Atlantic hurricane season