El Niño causes unprecedented Atlantic and Pacific hurricane disparity

The current hurricane season is exhibiting an unprecedented imbalance between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, driven largely by an exceptionally strong El Niño event. In the North Atlantic, no hurricanes have formed as of late September, marking the first time since the beginning of satellite monitoring in 1966 that the season has reached this point without a single hurricane.

Meteorologists attribute this Atlantic inactivity to El Niño, which increases wind shear in the region. This wind shear disrupts the development of storm systems by preventing heat from concentrating in specific areas. While some tropical storms have formed, most have remained over the open ocean without intensifying.

In contrast, the Pacific Ocean is experiencing a highly active season due to warmer waters and more favorable wind conditions. The Pacific season is approximately 2.5 times more active than usual, with 17 named tropical storms already recorded, nine of which became hurricanes and seven of which became major hurricanes. The El Niño phenomenon is expected to reach its peak in November or December.