Atlantic Hurricane Season Sees Delayed Start

Why it matters locally: While the delayed start to the Atlantic hurricane season is national news, Alabama's coastal communities, particularly those in Mobile and Baldwin counties, remain vigilant as the season continues. Historically, Alabama has experienced significant impacts from hurricanes, making any developments in the Atlantic basin closely monitored by emergency management agencies and residents alike.

Washington D.C. — The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season has passed its midpoint without a single storm achieving hurricane classification, setting a new benchmark for delayed activity. As of Saturday, the season marked the longest stretch without a storm reaching sustained winds of 74 mph, the threshold for hurricane status, since the advent of satellite tracking. Nick Novella, a meteorologist at the government's Weather Prediction Center, confirmed this record. He stated that previous seasons have seen hurricane development earlier in the year, with satellite data providing consistent tracking capabilities. Scientists frequently point to atmospheric conditions for their influence on hurricane formation. Current patterns, particularly the presence of an El Niño, often create atmospheric shear. This shear involves differing wind speeds or directions at various altitudes, which can disrupt the vertical structure of developing tropical systems, preventing them from strengthening into hurricanes.