As of the current moment, the Atlantic hurricane season has seen only six named storms, with most being short-lived. The reason behind this unusual quietness can be attributed primarily to the powerful El Niño event, according to Phil Klotzbach, a senior research scientist at Colorado State University.
El Niño, a part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) natural cycle, involves changes in water and atmospheric winds in the central Pacific Ocean. The current “super” El Niño is significantly suppressing hurricane activity in the Atlantic.
Forecasters have issued an El Niño advisory, with predictions indicating a potentially historic event. Lindsey Long, a meteorologist at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), mentioned the likelihood of record-breaking anomalies associated with this El Niño.
The Pacific Ocean, on the other hand, is experiencing heightened hurricane activity due to El Niño. To date, there have been 16 named storms in the Pacific, with more expected. Despite the quiet Atlantic season, there have been brief tropical storm occurrences in the Gulf of Mexico affecting coastal areas.
Looking ahead, the El Niño event is forecasted to peak in November or December, extending into 2027. While it’s uncertain how this will impact the following year’s hurricane season, historical patterns suggest a warmer Atlantic season following an El Niño year.
