How is El Niño impacting the Pacific hurricane season?
El Niño is fueling an active Pacific hurricane season, with the Northeast Pacific recording 15 named storms and six hurricanes by early September 2026. This climate phenomenon brings warmer waters to the region, significantly increasing storm intensity. Conversely, the Atlantic basin remains quiet, with unfavorable wind shear conditions suppressing activity to just five named storms and no hurricanes.
On September 1, 2026, NASA’s DSCOVR satellite captured a rare view of three tropical cyclones—Lowell, Karina, and Marie—churning simultaneously in the Pacific. Lowell reached Category 5 strength, while Karina achieved Category 4. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall in Louisiana and Texas, bringing heavy rainfall. Current data shows the Northeast Pacific’s accumulated cyclone energy is 50 percent above normal, while the Atlantic’s index remains at only 9 percent of typical levels.
What tools monitor these tropical cyclones?
NASA uses advanced satellite platforms like the DSCOVR mission to track tropical cyclones in real-time. These observations provide essential data for emergency preparedness and post-storm damage assessment. By monitoring atmospheric circulation and sea surface temperatures, researchers gain insights into how climate patterns influence storm longevity, helping officials manage the risks posed by landfalling systems like Tropical Storm Edouard.
