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NewsWUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)September 10, 2026Hillsborough County

Atlantic basin hurricane season reaches climatological peak with low activity

Photo: WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)

Sept. 10 marks the climatological peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, which has experienced low activity with just five named storms, zero hurricanes, and the lowest Accumulated Cyclone Energy on modern record. A pending El Niño event and record wind shear across the western tropical Atlantic and Caribbean have contributed to the inactive season. Roughly 60% of tropical activity occurs after Sept. 10, leaving significant time remaining in the season.

HurricanesWeatherMeteorologyAtlantic Hurricane SeasonClimate
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Why It Matters

Residents in hurricane-prone regions remain at risk during the remainder of the season, as significant storms have historically struck as late as November.

Key Facts

  • Sept. 10 marks the climatological peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.
  • The season has produced five named storms, zero hurricanes, and the lowest Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) on modern record through mid-month.
  • A pending historic El Niño event and record wind shear across the western tropical Atlantic and Caribbean have contributed to lower tropical activity.
  • If no hurricane forms by Friday, it would be the first season in the modern era without producing a hurricane.
  • The last seasons to conclude without a hurricane were 1914 and 1907.
  • Roughly 60% of tropical activity occurs beyond the Sept. 10 date.
  • The latest Florida has been threatened by a significant system was Nov. 21, 1985, when Hurricane Kate struck the Florida Panhandle as a Category 2 cyclone.
  • Hurricane Nicole struck Florida's east coast as a minimal hurricane on Nov. 10, 2022.
  • The next storm to form will be named Fay.

Who's Mentioned

locationFlorida“Threatened by past late-season storms including Hurricane Kate and Hurricane Nic”OrganizationHurricane Kate“Struck the Florida Panhandle as a Category 2 cyclone in late November 1985.”PersonFay“The name assigned to the next storm whenever it forms.”OrganizationHurricane Nicole“Struck Florida's east coast as a minimal hurricane on Nov. 10, 2022.”OrganizationNational Hurricane Center“monitors tropical development for potential storm formation.”