Could El Niño mean there are no Atlantic hurricanes this year?
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is experiencing an unprecedented lack of hurricane activity, with no storms forming during the typically peak month of September. Experts attribute this anomaly to a strong El Niño event, which is disrupting wind patterns and suppressing tropical storm development in the Atlantic.
Why it matters
Understanding climate patterns like El Niño is critical for disaster preparedness and assessing the long-term impacts of climate change on extreme weather events.
Image source, Getty By Simon King Lead Weather Presenter Published 1 hour ago For the first time in more than 30 years, a hurricane has not formed in the Atlantic throughout September - normally the most active month for hurricane activity.
With just two months left of the defined hurricane season, there is an increasing possibility that no hurricanes will develop at all.
This would make the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season the only one in the satellite era without a hurricane.
The biggest reason for this is El Niño, which traditionally stifles activity in the Atlantic but brings a very active season in the eastern North Pacific.
The Atlantic hurricane season was predicted to be quieter than normal as a result of this.
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