Atlantic hurricane season produces no hurricanes as El Niño suppresses storm formation
Science · 2 October 2026
Written by AI from multiple news reports
The Atlantic Ocean has produced no hurricanes so far in the 2026 season, something that has not happened since 1914. Only five named storms have formed by early October, the quietest start since satellites began tracking weather in 1966. September passed without a single hurricane, the first time this has happened in over 30 years.
Scientists say El Niño is responsible. This natural pattern warms the Pacific Ocean and creates strong winds high in the atmosphere over the Atlantic. These winds break apart storms before they can grow into hurricanes. Ocean temperatures are warm enough for hurricanes to develop, but the atmospheric conditions have prevented this.
A very powerful El Niño, with a 97% chance of forming later in 2026, could keep the Atlantic quiet through October.