The Atlantic hurricane season has reached an unusual milestone in 2026, with September passing without a single hurricane forming in the basin. September is normally the peak month for Atlantic tropical activity, but a powerful El NiƱo and unusually strong wind shear have significantly limited storm development this year.
Historical records show that September has only rarely passed without an Atlantic hurricane. The last such occurrence was in 1994, while earlier hurricane-free Septembers were recorded in 1972 and 1962, according to figures cited by hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach. The 2026 season had already set a modern-era record for the latest formation of the season’s first hurricane.
The main factor behind the quiet Atlantic is the strengthening El NiƱo. Strong El NiƱo events can alter atmospheric circulation and increase vertical wind shear over the Atlantic. Strong wind shear can disrupt developing tropical systems by preventing thunderstorms from organizing and maintaining a circulation.
The unusual pattern is occurring despite sufficiently warm Atlantic waters. This highlights that warm ocean temperatures alone do not guarantee hurricane development. Atmospheric conditions, particularly wind shear and large-scale circulation, also play an important role.
Meanwhile, the tropical Pacific has experienced much greater activity during the same period. Reports have linked the developing strong El NiƱo to contrasting weather patterns across different ocean basins. NOAA has also indicated that the 2026ā27 El NiƱo could become exceptionally strong.
Although the Atlantic has been remarkably quiet, the hurricane season is not necessarily over. October and November can still produce tropical systems, and late-season storms can develop closer to the United States and surrounding waters. Therefore, the absence of hurricanes so far does not eliminate the possibility of future tropical storms or significant rainfall and wind impacts.
The 2026 Atlantic season demonstrates how large-scale climate patterns such as El NiƱo can strongly influence tropical cyclone development and create unusually quiet or active conditions across different ocean basins.