Atlantic hurricane season reaches historic period of inactivity

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has reached a historic milestone of inactivity. For the first time in the satellite era (since 1966), no hurricanes have formed in the Atlantic Ocean as of mid-September. If the trend continues, it could mark the first time in 175 years of meteorological records since 1851 that the month of September passes without a single named tropical storm.

Meteorologists attribute this unusual quietude to a powerful El Niño event, which has increased wind shear and introduced dry Saharan dust into the Atlantic's main development region. These conditions act as a triple threat that suppresses the formation of tropical cyclones. While five tropical storms—Arthur, Bertha, Cristóbal, Dolly, and Edouard—have been recorded so far this season, none have reached hurricane strength.

The National Hurricane Center is currently monitoring a disturbance southeast of Bermuda with a 40% chance of developing into a tropical storm, potentially named Fay, within the next seven days. Additionally, NOAA is watching for potential tropical cyclone formation north of the Bahamas toward the end of the month.