El Niño Influence on 2026 Pacific and Atlantic Hurricane Activity

• In early September 2026, the Pacific basin experienced heightened hurricane activity while the Atlantic remained unusually quiet, aligning with El Niño-driven seasonal forecasts.
• NASA’s DSCOVR satellite captured a rare image on September 1 showing three simultaneous tropical cyclones in the Pacific.

Pacific Hurricane Activity

• By September 3, the Northeast Pacific had recorded 15 named storms and 6 hurricanes, significantly above seasonal norms.
• Among the trio captured—Lowell, Karina, and Marie—Lowell reached Category 5 strength, while Karina reached Category 4.
• The Northeast Pacific Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) index reached 130, approximately 50 percent above normal levels.

Atlantic Basin Conditions

• Unfavorable wind shear suppressed activity in the Atlantic, resulting in only 5 named storms and no hurricanes.
• Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall in Louisiana and Texas, causing power outages and heavy rainfall ranging from 15 to 24 inches (38 to 61 centimeters).
• The Atlantic ACE index stood at 4.4, about 9 percent of the typical value for early September.

Scientific Context and Resources

• El Niño strengthens Pacific storms via warmer ocean temperatures while disrupting large-scale circulation patterns that typically support Atlantic storm development.
• NASA provides ongoing support for hurricane preparedness and damage assessment via its Earth-observing platforms, including data accessible through the Worldview browser.