New hurricane season record as 'historic' El Niño leaves Atlantic eerily quiet

The Atlantic hurricane season reached its climatological peak in 2026 with no hurricanes formed, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean create wind shear in the Atlantic that suppresses hurricane development. The phenomenon has occurred during previous strong El Niño years, with similar quiet Atlantic seasons recorded in 1987, 1991, and 1997.

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