The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has been one for the record books — but not for the reason coastal residents usually dread. By the season’s climatological peak on September 10, the Atlantic had produced just five named storms and zero hurricanes, the lowest accumulated cyclone energy on record for that point in the season.

Why it’s been so quiet

Forecasters point to unusually strong wind shear across the western tropical Atlantic and Caribbean, some of the highest levels recorded in the satellite era, along with a developing El Niño pattern that tends to suppress Atlantic storm formation. Wind shear tears apart the organized thunderstorm structure tropical systems need to strengthen, which has kept most disturbances from ever getting off the ground this year.

What’s brewing now

As of September 19, Tropical Depression Six formed southwest of the Azores, developing out of a disturbance meteorologists had been tracking for days. If it strengthens further, it will become Tropical Storm Fay — but forecasters say the system’s window for development is narrow and it isn’t expected to threaten land.

Don’t let your guard down yet

A quiet season through the peak doesn’t guarantee a quiet finish — the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs through November 30, and historically, damaging storms have formed later in the season when conditions shift. Coastal residents should keep their hurricane supply kits and evacuation plans ready through the rest of the season regardless of how calm things look right now.