Atlantic hurricane season breaks 112-year record without a hurricane

Overview

Updated Sep 22

The Atlantic Ocean has gone 112 days into hurricane season without a single hurricane. The last time the basin waited this long was 1914, at the onset of World War I.

A powerful El Niño in the Pacific is the cause. It increases wind shear over the Atlantic, shredding developing storms before they can organize. Six named storms have formed this season, but none reached hurricane strength.

Why it matters

A hurricane-free Atlantic season would be only the third in 175 years of records, showing how El Niño can override warm ocean waters.

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Key Indicators

Hurricanes in Atlantic through Sept 21

First time since 1914 the basin has gone this long without a hurricane.

Named storms formed

Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, and Fay — none reached hurricane strength.

112

Days into season without a hurricane

Previous record was 1914, the last season to reach this point hurricane-free.

93%

Below average accumulated cyclone energy

NOAA's measure of storm activity through September 21, compared to the 1991-2020 average.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Phil Klotzbach

Senior research scientist, Colorado State University Department of Atmospheric Science

Tracking the record-quiet Atlantic season

Michael Lowry

Meteorologist and hurricane specialist

Tracking the record-quiet season

David Neil

Meteorologist, Environment Canada

Cautioned that pre-satellite records may be incomplete

Organizations Involved

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal agency

Forecast and tracked the 2026 season

The U.S. federal agency that forecasts and tracks Atlantic hurricane activity.

Colorado State University Department of Atmospheric Science

University Research Lab

Publishes seasonal hurricane forecasts

CSU's hurricane research team publishes seasonal forecasts and tracks Atlantic storm activity.

Timeline

June 2026 September 2026

5 events Latest: September 22nd, 2026 · 2 months ago

Tap a bar to jump to that date

September 2026
Record extends to 113 days; six named storms so far
Latest Milestone

The season extends its hurricane-free streak. Six named storms have formed, none reaching hurricane strength.
September 22nd, 2026
Atlantic breaks 112-year record without a hurricane
Record

The basin reaches September 21 without a hurricane, the first time since 1914.
September 21st, 2026
Tropical Storm Fay forms, falls short of hurricane strength
Storm

Fay reaches 70 mph winds, just below the 74 mph hurricane threshold, then weakens.
September 19th, 2026
Atlantic passes latest hurricane-free date since 1966
Record

The basin reaches September 12 without a hurricane, the latest date since satellite tracking began in 1966.
September 12th, 2026
June 2026
Atlantic hurricane season officially begins
Season Start

The six-month Atlantic hurricane season opens, running through November 30.
June 1st, 2026

Scenarios

Atlantic finishes season with zero hurricanes

Possible Resolves by Nov 30, 2026

Discussed by: Phil Klotzbach, Michael Lowry

If El Niño's wind shear holds through November, the Atlantic would complete its first hurricane-free season since 1914. Only 1907 and 1914 have finished a full season without a hurricane in 175 years of records. Klotzbach says the odds of substantial activity from the deep tropics are low, but he'd be surprised if the season ends with zero hurricanes.

Late-season hurricane forms in Gulf of Mexico or off East Coast

Likely Resolves by Nov 30, 2026

Discussed by: Phil Klotzbach, Heather Long (meteorologist quoted by CBC)

Wind shear is weaker in the Gulf of Mexico and near the U.S. East Coast than in the open Atlantic. Waters remain warm in those regions. Klotzbach says he'd be surprised if the season ends with zero hurricanes, and the Gulf is the most likely spot for a late-season storm. Long notes the Caribbean still has lots of wind shear, but the Gulf shows less.

Hurricane forms in deep tropical Atlantic

Unlikely Resolves by Nov 30, 2026

Discussed by: Phil Klotzbach

This would require a break in the wind shear pattern over the Main Development Region between West Africa and the Caribbean. Klotzbach says the odds of getting anything substantial out of the deep tropics are low. The region has been suppressed all season by El Niño-driven wind shear.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

June-November 1914

1914 Atlantic hurricane season

The Atlantic recorded zero hurricanes, the last time the basin went this long without one. The season unfolded amid the onset of World War I, with limited ship and coastal observations.

Then

The season finished with no recorded hurricanes, one of only two such years in records going back to 1851.

Now

1914 became the benchmark for quiet Atlantic seasons, standing for 112 years until 2026.

Why this matters now

This is the exact record 2026 is breaking. Pre-satellite observations in 1914 may have missed storms that stayed far from land.

June-November 1907