Still no hurricanes in the Atlantic: A record in 60 years of record-keeping

Although the climatological peak of hurricane season has already passed, the Atlantic remains exceptionally quiet: no hurricanes have formed in 2026, something not seen since satellite observations began.

While hurricane development is typically a concern in the tropics at this time of year, the Atlantic has been particularly quiet for several weeks now.

Although the peak of hurricane season has just passed, no hurricanes have formed in the Atlantic so far this season, a particularly rare occurrence.

A record since 1966!

Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, a period when conditions are most favorable for tropical cyclone development. Ocean waters become sufficiently warm, while the atmosphere becomes more conducive to the development of tropical systems.

RECORD BROKEN! No Hurricanes have formed so far in the Atlantic this season, which is now a new record for the latest without one in the Satellite Era since 1966. We can thank the powerful El Nino and rounds of Saharan Dust for the quiest season to this point. Only 1907 and pic.twitter.com/pI03yNTU14

— Matt Devitt (@MattDevittWX) September 12, 2026

Tropical cyclone activity is generally highest between August and October, reaching its climatological peak around September 10. According to NOAA, by around September 10, an average of three hurricanes have already formed in the Atlantic, which is far from the case this year.

In fact, as of September 16, 2026, no hurricanes had formed in the Atlantic basin since the start of hurricane season, something unprecedented since satellite observations began in 1966.

Until now, the record for the latest