As of mid-September 2026, zero hurricanes have formed in the Atlantic Ocean. This marks the first time since 1941 that the season has progressed this deeply into the year without a single hurricane forming. [1]
Historical records dating back to 1851 show at least one hurricane developing every year. The Atlantic hurricane season ends on Nov. 30, leaving approximately two months for storms to develop. However, the Atlantic Accumulated Cyclone Energy index is currently running roughly 85% below the normal range for this time of year.
Historical records dating back to 1851 show at least one hurricane developing every year.
The lack of hurricane activity contrasts with other recent climate reports. Some media outlets have stated that the continental United States “experienced its hottest meteorological summer on record in 2026.”
Some meteorologists and scientists have expressed skepticism regarding these temperature records. University of Alabama-Huntsville climate scientist Roy Spencer analyzed the temperature station data. Spencer determined that “65% of the U.S. linear warming trend between 1895 and 2023 was due to increasing population density at the suburban and urban stations; 8% of the warming was due to urbanization at rural stations.”
Discussions regarding climate predictions and temperature data collection are ongoing. Meanwhile, researchers continue to monitor the Atlantic Ocean for any potential storm development before the season concludes.
Notes:
- ^Editorial Board. (2026). Hurricanes Are A Thing Of The Past? – Issues & Insights. Issues & Insights. Retrieved from https://issuesinsights.com/2026/09/17/hurricanes-are-a-thing-of-the-past/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email (go back ↩)
