Archive · 17 Sep 2026
El Niño Delays First Atlantic Hurricane To 60-Year Low
The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1, 2026.
By September 15, no hurricane had formed in the Atlantic.
This is the longest wait for an Atlantic hurricane since at least 1966.
Only five tropical storms had appeared, even though more were expected.
Scientists say a strong El Niño is a major reason for the delay.
El Niño warms part of the Pacific Ocean but can make Atlantic waters cooler.
Cooler Atlantic waters make it harder for tropical storms to grow into hurricanes.
Hurricanes can be destructive, but the unusual quiet period may also reflect changing climate conditions.
The Atlantic basin had recorded no hurricanes by September 15, 2026, the longest such stretch since at least 1966.
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1, but only five tropical storms had formed: Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly and Edouard.
NOAA had forecast seven to 13 named storms for the season because of the strong El Niño.
El Niño has produced warmer-than-average Pacific waters but cooler Atlantic waters, which are less favorable for tropical-storm development.
Past delayed first hurricanes included Danielle in 2022, on September 2, and Humberto in 2013, on September 11.
- Who
- The Atlantic basin, NOAA, and climate experts are involved in the assessment.
- What
- No Atlantic hurricane had formed by September 15, 2026, creating the longest such delay since at least 1966.
- When
- The 2026 hurricane season began on June 1, and the record delay was noted by September 15.
- Where
- The Atlantic basin, including the southeastern United States, was affected; El Niño conditions were also present in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
- Why
- A strong El Niño created cooler-than-ideal Atlantic waters for tropical-storm development.
- Hurricane-free period
- The Atlantic had no hurricanes by September 15, 2026.
- Historical comparison
- This was the longest stretch without an Atlantic hurricane since at least 1966.
- Season start
- The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season started on June 1.
- Named storms recorded
- Five tropical storms had formed: Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly and Edouard.
- NOAA forecast
- NOAA predicted seven to 13 named storms for the 2026 season.
- Typical timing
- Climate data from 1991 to 2020 indicates that the first hurricane usually forms in early or mid-August.
- El Niño conditions
- El Niño brought above-average sea-surface temperatures to part of the equatorial Pacific and cooler conditions to the Atlantic.