Silent Waves: A Unique Lull in Atlantic Hurricane Activity

Tue Sep 30 2025 04:53:08 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

This hurricane season, the Atlantic has seen an unprecedented lack of named storms during its peak period. Meteorologists dissect the reasons behind this unusual phenomenon and what it means for future storm activity.

As the Atlantic hurricane season reaches its peak, an unexpected silence prevails with no named storms in nearly three weeks. Meteorologists attribute this unusual quiet to high vertical wind shear, persistent dry air, and a drop in rainfall across West Africa. While Puerto Rico remains cautiously optimistic, experts warn that active storm systems may still develop later in September.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The Atlantic hurricane season is witnessing an unusual quiet spell, with no named storms forming in nearly three weeks, raising eyebrows during what is typically the busiest period of the year.

“Where the heck are the Atlantic hurricanes?” questioned Philip Klotzbach, a meteorologist from Colorado State University, on social media. The last named storm was Tropical Storm Fernand, which formed on August 23 and dissipated by August 28 over open waters.

This is only the second instance since record-keeping began in 1950 that no named storms formed during the peak season from August 29 to September 15, according to Ernesto Rodríguez, the meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service forecast office in San Juan.

Rodríguez notes that typically, this period is ripe for storm development. The previous quietest peak season occurred in 1992 following the destructive Hurricane Andrew in Florida.

Reasons Behind the Calm

Three primary factors contribute to this unexpected calmness, as outlined by meteorologists:

Increased wind shear from upper-level atmospheric circulation, which hampers storm formation.

Dry and stable air prevailing across the tropical Atlantic, preventing storm development.

A reduction in rainfall in West Africa, where many tropical storms originate.

Rodríguez expressed that the present quietness is a positive sign, especially for Puerto Rico, which is still recovering from Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 storm that struck in 2017.

Meanwhile, experts from Colorado State University have noted that this period of inactivity raises curiosity among meteorologists and the public alike.

Future Outlook

Despite the current lull, forecasters remain cautious. They predict potential storm activity could increase again in mid to late September, especially with a developing cluster of storms located east of the Caribbean, which may form later this month. Rodríguez notes that sea temperatures being warm could ignite renewed hurricane activity.

The majority of storms in the Atlantic typically brew during August and September, yet this season has only seen six named storms thus far.

According to NOAA predictions earlier this year, the hurricane season was expected to be above normal, anticipating 13 to 18 named storms, including a few major hurricanes. However, with only one hurricane formed to date, the ongoing situation deviates from the forecast.

As we move further into the hurricane season, scientists continue to monitor developments closely, recognizing that while this season may be quiet now, the atmosphere still holds the potential for significant storm activity ahead.