El Niño’s fingerprint signals a quieter Atlantic hurricane season

Colorado State University’s initial hurricane forecast calls for a slightly below-average Atlantic season—about 13 named storms, 6 hurricanes and 2 major—driven primarily by the return of El Niño, which is expected to bring upper‑air wind shear that can weaken tropical systems. The La Niña pattern has ended and El Niño should be in place for the season’s peak (mid‑Aug to mid‑Oct). Yet mixed ocean temperatures across the Atlantic and the possibility of hotter‑than‑expected oceans mean the forecast carries uncertainty; stronger heat could erode El Niño’s quieting effect and spur rapid intensification, so conditions remain variable as the season approaches.