Atlantic hurricane season sets a record: No hurricanes yet!

The Atlantic hurricane season has set a record, remaining the quietest in the modern era with no hurricanes forming as of September 11, 2026. This surpasses the previous record set in 2002 and 2013, when hurricanes Gustav and Humberto respectively formed in September. Despite this record quiet season, there are still five named tropical storms that have developed: Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, and Edouard.

Experts attribute this unusual calm to the presence of El Niño, a weather pattern marked by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean. El Niño can create strong wind shear, a condition that significantly inhibits hurricane formation. Wind shear refers to the change in wind speed and direction with height, and in the presence of strong El Niño-induced wind shear, it becomes difficult for hurricanes to form and intensify.

However, it's important to note that while El Niño suppresses hurricane formation in the Atlantic, it tends to increase hurricane activity in the Pacific. The current El Niño is expected to persist through the hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. This prolonged El Niño could potentially lead to additional hurricane seasons with few or no hurricanes.

Coastal residents should remain vigilant and prepared for hurricane season, as it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make the season active.