How a growing El Niño will affect 2026 hurricane season in Atlantic, Pacific
Summary
The Earth is entering an El Niño phase, which means the Pacific Ocean waters are warming up. This change usually leads to more hurricanes in the Eastern Pacific but fewer in the Atlantic Ocean because of how El Niño affects wind and water temperatures.Key Facts
- El Niño causes warmer water in the Pacific Ocean, helping hurricanes form and stay strong.
- It reduces wind changes high in the atmosphere, which lets storms in the Pacific develop better.
- In the Atlantic Ocean, El Niño usually cools waters and increases wind changes that break up storms, leading to fewer hurricanes.
- The last El Niño was in 2023, followed by La Niña, which caused more Atlantic hurricanes recently.
- In 2023, the Eastern Pacific had 20 tropical systems, including Hurricane Hilary, which caused deaths and nearly $1 billion in damage.
- The 2025 Eastern Pacific season had 18 systems, with Hurricane Kiko as the most notable storm.
- The 2026 Eastern Pacific hurricane season started on May 15, with the first named storm as Amanda.
- The National Hurricane Center watches the Eastern Pacific and updates forecasts multiple times daily during hurricane season.
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