First Atlantic Hurricane Season without a Hurricane by Sept. 21 in 112 Years
- The Atlantic Basin reached late September without producing a single hurricane, a rare milestone not seen in 112 years that matches the 1914 season.
- A strong global weather pattern is effectively suppressing Atlantic storm formation by increasing upper-level wind shear, while simultaneously fueling an active Pacific season with 17 named storms.
- Accumulated cyclone energy stood at 6.2 on Sept. 22, about 93% below normal for the date; while six named storms formed in 2026, including Arthur and Fay, none achieved hurricane strength of 119 km.
- Forecasters continue monitoring the tropics through Nov. 30, as late-season systems can still develop in the western Caribbean or Gulf, with AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok noting activity may peak in late September to early October.
- Coastal residents should maintain vigilance through the season's end, as practical steps like checking emergency supplies and reviewing evacuation routes remain vital despite the historic quiet stretch, given that nearly 40 percent of Atlantic activity occurs after mid-September.
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70 Articles
This year, for the first time since the beginning of monitoring in 1966, no tropical storm formed in the Atlantic has intensified to the point of becoming a hurricane.
New Hampshire Union Leader
Hurricane season is broken. Two oceans are historically out of whack
The 2026 hurricane season has been remarkable, from the potentially record-breaking calm in the Atlantic Ocean to the hyperactive eastern and central Pacific Ocean.
It’s been an intense hurricane season in the Pacific
Tropical storms have spawned in the Pacific in what seems like assembly-line fashion in recent weeks, as El Niño conditions that emerged in June have caused waters to grow warmer than normal, setting off a chain of unusual weather around much of the world. “It’s ramping up to be perhaps the strongest El Niño on record,” University of Miami hurricane expert Brian McNoldy said.
In the middle of hurricane season, it remains astonishingly quiet over the Atlantic Ocean. While storms over other oceans develop into severe hurricanes, not a single one has formed over the Atlantic. All of this can be explained by the so-called ‘super’ El Niño.
The Pacific is churning with hurricanes. The Atlantic is quiet. Blame El Niño
The Pacific Ocean has had an unusual number of storms this year, while the Atlantic hasn't recorded a single full-blown hurricane. Scientists point to an exceptionally strong El Niño.
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