Weather, Hurricanes: Quiet in the Atlantic but Active in the Eastern Pacific

All Quiet in the Atlantic…

According to the National Hurricane Center, the Atlantic has produced six named storms, zero hurricanes and zero major hurricanes so far this year.

The named storms – Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard and Fay – all remained as tropical storms making the 2026 the first Atlantic hurricane season since 1914 to make it this far into September without producing a hurricane. The 1914 season ultimately went the entire year without one. Historical hurricane records show that 1907 was the only other Atlantic season with no recorded hurricanes according to a report from FoxWeather.

The primary driver behind the suppressed season is a powerful El Niño in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. El Niño generates upper-level atmospheric wind shear that cuts off the tops of developing tropical low-pressure systems, preventing them from structuring into tropical cyclones or hurricanes. While ocean sea surface temperatures remain warm globally, the atmospheric shear has dominated tropical weather patterns across the Caribbean and Atlantic Basin.

…meanwhile in the Pacific

The 2026 Pacific hurricane season has been exceptionally active, driven by strong El Niño conditions that produce warmer sea surface temperatures across the basin and as noted above, is the primary driver for the quiet (so far) 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

Currently, the National Hurricane Center has issued advisories on three active systems in the eastern Pacific:

Hurricane Polo, located a few hundred miles southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico,
Hurricane Odalys, located well west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California,
Hurricane Nolo, located about 150 miles south of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Already this season, the eastern Pacific season has generated 19 tropical depressions/storms, eight hurricanes and five major hurricanes. Systems like Hurricane Genevieve (Category 5) and Hurricane Polo (Category 5, with sustained winds reaching 180 mph) have made 2026 one of the most intense Pacific seasons on record. While direct hits on the Hawaiian Islands are historically rare, 2026 has brought unusual atmospheric setups that have repeatedly threatened or impacted the chain.

While Hurricane Lala (Category 1 – mid August) and Hurricane Lowell (early September) brought heavy rains and strong surf to the Hawaiian Islands, the next system – Tropical Storm Nolo could strengthen into a major hurricane and make a rare direct landfall across the island chain.

The National Hurricane Center said Nolo is currently about 300 miles from South Point, Hawaii and is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane by Saturday morning (September 26) as it makes its closest approach to the Hawaiian Islands. A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Hawaii’s Big Island.

Active systems in the eastern Pacific with Hurricane Nolo expected to bring severe wind and rain conditions to Hawaii’s Big Island. Image from NOAA – National Hurricane Center website.

Update 30 September, 2026: Hurricane Polo has now dissipated over northwestern Mexico, while Tropical Storm Rachel is tracking along the Mexican coast and Hurricane Nolo is active near Hawaii. NASA reports that the northeastern and central Pacific had already produced 20 named storms and nine hurricanes by September 28 – well above average. Read NASA’s latest Pacific update.

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