Atlantic hurricane season sees unprecedented September lull

The Atlantic hurricane season is experiencing an unprecedented lull, with September 2026 concluding without a single hurricane. This is a rare occurrence; since modern record-keeping began in 1950, such an absence in September has only happened three times: in 1962, 1972, and 1994.

Meteorologists attribute this anomaly to a powerful El Niño phenomenon. The phenomenon has caused record-breaking wind shear in the Main Development Region (MDR), where rapid changes in wind speed and direction at different atmospheric altitudes disrupt the organization of tropical systems, preventing them from intensifying into hurricanes.

While the Atlantic has remained quiet, forming only a few tropical storms such as Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, and Hanna, the Pacific has seen significant activity. In the East and Central Pacific, El Niño has fueled a busy season, including the formation of 20 named storms and several Category 5 hurricanes, such as Hurricane Polo.