Record-Slow Atlantic Hurricane Season Linked to Strong El Niño
The Atlantic hurricane season of 2026 has been remarkably slow, with no hurricanes recorded as of mid-September, traditionally the peak of the season. Experts attribute this unusual inactivity to a particularly strong El Niño event, which has created conditions highly unfavorable for storm formation. El Niño, a natural warming of parts of the equatorial Pacific, has led to record-strong wind shear, dry air, and downward-pushing winds in the Atlantic, effectively preventing tropical cyclones from developing. Only five weak tropical storms have formed this season, representing just 7% of the typical activity for this time of year. While the Atlantic remains quiet, the eastern and central Pacific have seen heightened storm activity, with hurricanes lasting longer and occurring more frequently than usual.