AI Generated Image
late Atlantic hurricane season
WLWT • • nation
Key Points:
- The Atlantic hurricane season has seen a record late start in 2026, with no hurricanes reported more than halfway through the season and only five named tropical storms as of mid-September.
- The delayed activity is attributed to a strong El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean, which typically suppresses Atlantic hurricane formation while enhancing Pacific hurricane activity.
- NOAA predicted below-normal activity for the Atlantic season, forecasting 7-13 named storms with 2-6 becoming hurricanes, and 0-2 major hurricanes; the current storm count aligns with this outlook.
- In contrast, the eastern Pacific hurricane season has been more active, with 14 named storms and four hurricanes so far, including three major hurricanes, consistent with NOAA's forecast of above-average activity due to El Niño.
- The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, peaking around September 10, while the Pacific season starts earlier on May 15 and also ends November 30.
