El Niño helps keep hurricane season historically quiet

(WPDE) — The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has been remarkably quiet, with just five named storms and still no hurricanes. 2026 Hurricane Season names The well-advertised, historic El Niño has certainly helped put the brakes on tropical activity. El Niño and Atlantic hurricanes Just how quiet has it been? Through September 8, this season has produced the lowest Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) of any Atlantic season since 1950. READ NEXT: Near-average conditions continue through mid September Least active season to date based on ACE ACE measures how active a hurricane season is by factoring in both storm strength and how long storms last. The stronger and longer-lived the storms, the higher the ACE. This year's ACE through September 8 is a measly 4.4. For some perspective, in 1995 it had already reached a whopping 148.5 by this same point! What builds Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) And another record may be just around the corner. It's looking increasingly likely we'll make it past September 11 without a hurricane, which would make 2026 the latest on record for the Atlantic's first hurricane. There's still plenty of hurricane season left, of course, but with all the weather hype and doom-and-gloom these days, it's nice to talk about a good weather record for a change! Page 2