Atlantic breaks 60-year record for longest stretch without a hurricane
Summary
The Atlantic hurricane season in 2026 has set a new record for the longest time without a hurricane forming, reaching September 15 with none recorded. This is the longest gap since reliable tracking began in 1966, largely influenced by the strong El Niño weather pattern reducing hurricane activity in the Atlantic.Key Facts
- No hurricanes have formed in the Atlantic basin since June 1, 2026, marking the longest stretch without a hurricane since 1966.
- The first hurricane in an average season usually appears in early or mid-August.
- So far in 2026, there have been five named tropical storms but no hurricanes.
- A tropical storm is named when winds reach 39 mph; it becomes a hurricane at 74 mph or more.
- El Niño is a climate pattern with warmer Pacific Ocean temperatures that tends to reduce hurricane formation in the Atlantic by cooling its waters and increasing wind shear.
- NOAA predicted a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season in 2026 due to a strong El Niño event.
- Past strong El Niño events have consistently been linked to fewer hurricanes in the Atlantic since 1950.
- The usual peak of the hurricane season is in September and October, but this year remains unusually quiet.
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