Story perspectives

El Niño, Niña Quell Atlantic Hurricanes; Only Arthur Forms

7/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

The combined effect of a record-strong El Niño raising Pacific SST up to 6.5 °F and an Atlantic Niña cooling West African waters by about 0.9 °F creates wind shear and limits heat, suppressing the Atlantic hurricane season.
By July 17 only Tropical Storm Arthur had formed, causing flash flooding and tornadoes before weakening, while two other disturbances remained under watch.
No Atlantic hurricane has formed yet, although the first typically appears by August 11.

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Story summary

The combined effect of a record-strong El Niño raising Pacific SST up to 6.5 °F and an Atlantic Niña cooling West African waters by about 0.9 °F creates wind shear and limits heat, suppressing the Atlantic hurricane season.
By July 17 only Tropical Storm Arthur had formed, causing flash flooding and tornadoes before weakening, while two other disturbances remained under watch.
No Atlantic hurricane has formed yet, although the first typically appears by August 11.