The Pacific is being beset by hurricane after hurricane—why is the Atlantic so quiet?
The Pacific Ocean has seen an especially active hurricane season so far, while the Atlantic has had barely a whimper of a storm. Experts explain why
The Pacific Ocean is experiencing an unusually active hurricane season, with hurricanes Fausto, Lala, Moke, and Lowell battering the region, while the Atlantic has remained relatively storm-free. Meteorologists are puzzled by this stark contrast. Before this season, only six hurricanes had ever approached the Hawaiian Islands within 50 miles of the main islands in the past 75 years.
Experts attribute the difference to the strong trade winds and cooler waters around Hawaii, which typically deter hurricane formation. However, this year, an especially powerful El Niño is expected to impact weather patterns, creating more favorable conditions for hurricanes in the eastern and central Pacific, while suppressing hurricane development in the Atlantic.
El Niño is associated with warmer ocean temperatures and reduced vertical wind shear, which helps hurricanes thrive. In the Pacific, sea surface temperatures are well above normal, and vertical wind shear is notably low, creating ideal conditions for hurricane formation. Conversely, the Atlantic has experienced high vertical wind shear, making conditions hostile for hurricane development.
While a quiet Atlantic season does not necessarily predict no hurricanes, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a below-normal season, with only two to six hurricanes expected to form.
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