POLISCOPE
Back to feed
NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 18, 2026Miami-Dade

Atlantic hurricane season experiences historically slow start due to El Niño

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is currently experiencing its least active start in nearly 40 years due to record-high wind shear caused by a powerful El Niño event. While two tropical disturbances, Invest 92L and Invest 94L, recently showed potential for development, both failed to intensify, and no significant tropical activity is expected until at least the end of August.

hurricanesweatherclimateEl NiñoAtlantic hurricane season
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Main Feed

Why It Matters

Residents in the Atlantic hurricane corridor, including South Florida, are experiencing a temporary reduction in hurricane risk, though the same weather patterns are expected to cause an exceptionally rainy winter.

Key Facts

  • The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is on track for its least active start in nearly 40 years.
  • Two recent tropical disturbances, Invest 92L and Invest 94L, failed to develop into cyclones due to persistent wind shear.
  • Wind shear in the western Atlantic is currently at its highest recorded level.
  • A powerful El Niño event is identified as the primary driver suppressing tropical storm development in the Atlantic.
  • The current El Niño is projected to be one of the strongest in approximately 250 years.
  • South Florida is expected to experience an exceptionally rainy winter as a result of the current El Niño pattern.
  • No significant tropical development is expected in the deep tropics until late August 2026.
  • Only three named storms have occurred so far in 2026, all of which were weak and short-lived.

Who's Mentioned

locationSouth Florida“Region expected to have an exceptionally rainy winter.”otherInvest 92L“Tropical disturbance that failed to develop.”otherInvest 94L“Tropical disturbance that failed to develop.”