The Pacific Ocean is experiencing an unusually active spell of tropical weather, with three hurricanes simultaneously developing in the basin, while the Atlantic hurricane season has remained remarkably subdued so far. The contrasting conditions have drawn attention from meteorologists, particularly because the Atlantic could soon set a record for the latest formation of a hurricane in the modern satellite era.
As of early September, Hurricane Marie, Hurricane Karina and Hurricane Lowell are active in the Pacific. Marie is a Category 1 hurricane, Karina has reached Category 3 strength, while Lowell is a Category 4 storm. Having three hurricanes operating in the Pacific at the same time is considered highly unusual, particularly given that the region typically records only about eight hurricanes during an entire year, according to the US National Hurricane Center.
The current situation is not entirely without precedent. A similar occurrence was recorded in 2015, when three Pacific hurricanes were present simultaneously. However, that episode was even more intense, with all three storms reaching Category 4 strength. The latest cluster therefore represents another rare period of concentrated hurricane activity in the Pacific.
Forecasters are closely monitoring Hurricane Lowell because of uncertainty surrounding its future path and potential effects on Hawaii. At present, meteorologists have not been able to determine whether the storm will pose a significant threat to the islands. Hurricanes Marie and Karina, meanwhile, are expected to remain over open water and are not currently forecast to have major impacts on land.
The situation is markedly different in the Atlantic, where no hurricane has formed so far during the current season. Entering September without an Atlantic hurricane is an uncommon event, occurring only about eight times since the beginning of the satellite observation era around 1960. The continued absence of a hurricane has raised the possibility that an existing record could be surpassed.
The latest date on record for the formation of an Atlantic hurricane is 11 September, recorded in both 2002 and 2013. With forecasts indicating relatively limited activity in the Atlantic over at least the coming week, there is a possibility that the 2026 season could go beyond that date before producing its first hurricane.
Despite the lack of hurricanes in the Atlantic, tropical weather has still affected parts of the southern United States. Tropical Storm Edouard reached Louisiana on September 1, bringing heavy rainfall, powerful wind gusts and flooding to parts of southwestern Louisiana and southeastern Texas. The storm produced a maximum recorded wind gust of about 69 mph at Beaumont/Port Arthur airport.
The storm also caused practical disruption, including power outages and school closures. Authorities continued to warn of the possibility of flash flooding in east-central Texas during the week, highlighting that the absence of hurricanes does not necessarily mean an absence of severe weather.
Texas has simultaneously been dealing with another extreme weather threat: dangerous heat. Parts of the state were placed under extreme heat warnings, with the heat index in the southernmost areas reaching approximately 46C (114.8F). The heat index combines temperature and humidity to indicate how hot conditions feel to the human body. US weather authorities warned that prolonged exposure could increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Meanwhile, the wider global weather picture remains concerning. Europe has just experienced an exceptionally warm summer, with countries including the UK, France and Belgium recording their highest average summer temperatures. France’s previous record was exceeded by about 0.8C, while the UK surpassed its earlier record by around 0.4C. Further national records could emerge as complete summer climate data becomes available.
The unusual contrast between intense Pacific hurricane activity and a largely quiet Atlantic season illustrates the highly variable nature of tropical weather. While the Atlantic’s calm conditions may appear reassuring, forecasters continue to monitor developments closely, particularly as September traditionally remains an important period for Atlantic tropical activity. At the same time, the Pacific’s concentration of powerful storms demonstrates that severe tropical weather remains an active threat in other parts of the world.
