Atlantic Ends September Without a Hurricane Since 1994
• For the first time since 1994, the Atlantic is closing out September without a single hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The 2026 season has so far produced eight named storms, all of which remained tropical storms. The NHC's latest outlook, issued at 2 a.m. EDT on September 30, 2026, confirmed that no tropical cyclone formation is expected in the Atlantic over the next seven days. This rare occurrence has only happened seven other times since the 1850s, with the last instance in
• Forecasters attribute the lack of hurricanes to the ongoing El Niño pattern, which strengthens upper-level winds that disrupt storm development in the Atlantic. Meanwhile, the Pacific has been more active, with Hurricane Polo impacting Baja California Sur and other storms bringing heavy rainfall to Hawaii and the U.S. Southwest.
Impact & Risks
The absence of hurricanes in the Atlantic this September has provided relief to coastal residents from Texas to the Carolinas. However, forecasters caution that the hurricane season is not over, with about 40% of typical activity occurring after late September. The ongoing El Niño pattern has shifted storm risks westward, leading to significant impacts in the Pacific. For instance, Hurricane Polo brought heavy rain to parts of Mexico and the U.S. Southwest, while Hawaii experienced flooding from Hurricane Nolo. Coastal residents in the Atlantic basin are advised to remain prepared, as the season runs through November 30.
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