NOAA Says El Niño Could Keep Atlantic Hurricanes Below Normal
Forecasters say El Niño is suppressing Atlantic storm growth, while the season remains on watch for a first hurricane before the Sept. 11 record date.
- The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is historically quiet, with five named storms but no hurricanes as of Wednesday, September 2, approaching a record-late start for first hurricane activity.
- Forecasters attribute the inactivity to a "super El Niño" climate pattern creating hostile upper-level winds, aligning with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's prediction of 75% chance for lower-than-normal activity.
- While the Atlantic remains dormant, the Eastern Pacific is highly active with 13 named storms, including Hurricane Karina and Hurricane Lowell currently churning as major hurricanes in the open ocean.
- Despite the quiet Atlantic, experts warn against lowering guards as the season continues through November 30, while forecasters monitor Pacific storm trajectories that remain highly uncertain over Labor Day weekend.
- History shows delayed starts often lead to compressed, high-stakes activity windows; 2002 and 2013 seasons, which had similarly late starts, both eventually produced significant tropical system activity.
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34 Articles
2026 Atlantic hurricane season nears historic territory for latest first hurricane amid looming Super El Niño
THE TAKEAWAY:An average Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. While the season officially wraps up on Nov. 30, we are so far tracking for a quiet season year due to hostile conditions produced by the inhibitive El Niño climate pattern taking hold across the Pacific and thwarting activity in the Atlantic basin.STRENGTHENING EL NIÑO COULD SHAKE UP FALL WEATHER ACROSS THE US - HERE’S WHAT T…
A busy hurricane season just got even busier
Three storms spinning in the Pacific could all become powerful hurricanes by the weekend, and forecasters who were closely monitoring their progress were growing concerned that at least one could come uncomfortably close to land. The post A busy hurricane season just got even busier appeared first on The Garden Island.
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