Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast to Be Milder Than Normal Thanks to El Niño The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced a below normal hurricane season forecast for 2026, thanks to the developing El Niño weather pattern in the central and eastern Pacific.
The NOAA's prediction is based on a complex interplay of climatic factors, including warm ocean temperatures that can fuel intense storms and the suppressing effect of El Niño on Atlantic hurricane development.
However, this year's mix of factors may lead to more powerful storms in the Pacific.