Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Super El Niño fuels record Pacific hurricane activity
The 2026 Pacific hurricane season has broken activity records, with Simon helping push the season’s accumulated cyclone energy above the previous record set in 2018.
Simon has killed at least six people in Mexico and remains a Category 1 hurricane, threatening west-central Mexico and Baja California Sur.
A strengthening El Niño is warming Pacific waters and creating conditions that help storms form and intensify.
In October, temperatures in a central Pacific monitoring region were more than 2.4°C above average, according to Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology.
Storm Tropical Storm Trudy has formed behind Simon, and forecasters expect it to become a major hurricane near Mexico later this week.
The Pacific hurricane season runs through November 30, so Mexico, Hawaii and the US West Coast face continued storm threats.
El Niño is expected to keep strengthening until around December, but the effects of the climate pattern vary by region and local conditions.
The 2026 Pacific hurricane season broke records for hurricane activity and accumulated cyclone energy, according to the sources.
Hurricane researcher Michael Ferragamo said the Pacific exceeded the previous accumulated cyclone energy record, set in 2018, by 1.2 units.
Hurricane Simon, the season’s 21st named storm, caused at least six deaths in Mexico and helped drive the season to the record.
Tropical Storm Trudy formed after Simon, and the National Hurricane Center expected it to become a major hurricane.
A strengthening El Niño is contributing to conditions that favor Pacific cyclones, and hurricane season officially ends on November 30.
- Who
- The 2026 Pacific hurricane season, including Hurricane Simon and Tropical Storm Trudy.
- What
- The Pacific broke records for hurricane activity and accumulated cyclone energy. Simon caused at least six deaths in Mexico.
- When
- The records were reported on October 14, 2026; the season is due to end on November 30.
- Where
- The Pacific basin, including the coast of Mexico.
- Why
- A strong El Niño is warming Pacific waters and creating conditions that favor cyclone formation and strengthening.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted a hyperactive Pacific hurricane season as signs of a strong El Niño became clear.
Hurricane Polo set a record for the longest time spent at Category 5 strength, at two-and-a-half days.
Central Pacific waters were 2.08 °C above average, according to the historical series analyzed by Brazil’s Inmet.
A section of the Pacific that produces storms bound for Hawaii, Mexico and the U.S. West Coast broke its accumulated cyclone energy record.
The sources reported that the Pacific had broken hurricane activity records and that Tropical Storm Trudy had formed after Simon.
- Season
- 2026 Pacific hurricane season
- Simon
- 21st named storm; 11th hurricane; ninth major hurricane
- Accumulated cyclone energy
- 1.2 units above the previous record of 318, set in 2018
- Simon death toll
- At least six people
- Trudy forecast
- The National Hurricane Center expected it to become a major hurricane
- Hurricane season end
- November 30
3 sources
Hurricane Trudy is the Latest in an Unusual Pacific Hurricane Season
The Super El Niño Just Shattered 2 Pacific Hurricane Records—and the Season Is Far From Over
Super El Niño de 2026 se intensifica e chega perto de recorde histórico; na costa da América do Sul, as águas ficaram 4,5 °C acima do normal
What people are saying
The 2026 Pacific hurricane season is now the most intense on record
This is largely in part to Hurricane Simon which brought the season to the record
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The 2026 Pacific Hurricane Season is now the most intense on record, with 319.2 units of ACE. This breaks the previous record of 318 set in 2018. This is largely in part to Hurricane #SIMON which brought the season to the record. Records go back to 1949.