Atlantic hurricane season at 7% of normal as El Niño smothers storms
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has set a satellite-era record for inactivity, with zero hurricanes through mid-September and overall activity at just 7% of normal. A powerful El Niño is overriding warm ocean temperatures with wind shear, dry air, and sinking motion that suppress storm formation. Climate and risk professionals are watching how long the pattern holds and whether a late-season storm — like 1992's Hurricane Andrew — upends the quiet.
Source: stcatharinesstandard.ca · csmonitor.com