Updated

As the Atlantic hurricane season passes its historical climatological peak (September 10), meteorologists note the basin has remained largely storm-free, raising the possibility of a record-slow season. Forecasters attribute the quiet stretch to a strong El Niño pattern, which tends to suppress tropical storm formation in the Atlantic through increased wind shear. No hurricanes have formed in the Atlantic so far this year, an unusual occurrence for this point in the season. Meteorologists continue to track the basin closely, noting that while El Niño reduces Atlantic activity, it can enhance storm formation elsewhere, such as the Eastern Pacific.