| Very Strong El Niño | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2026 — 2029 |
| Peak Intensity | +5.6° C |
Summary
The 2026-29 El Nino event was the strongest El Niño in recorded history. Sea Surface Temperature anomalies were 5.6° C above normal. It peaked in 2027 and got replaced by a La Niña in 2030.
Impacts on the Atlantic hurricane seasons
2026
2026 was well below average, having only 8 storms, none of which became a hurricane.
2027
2027 was not any better, in fact it was worse, there was only 4 depressions in the entire season, only 1 of which became a tropical storm.
2028
2028 was only a little bit better than 2026 and 2027. It featured 11 storms, 2 of which became hurricanes.
2029
By 2029, the El Nino was in its final year in this cycle, SST anomalies were only 0.9°C above average in the Pacific. The Atlantic finally was coming back to near normal activity. It featured 14 storms, 4 of which became hurricanes and a further 1 of them became a major hurricane.
Impacts on the Pacific hurricane seasons
2026
2026 was moderately above average with 23 storms, 16 of which became hurricanes, and 7 of which became major hurricanes.
2027
2027 was a record breaking year for the East Pacific, 52 storms formed from 55 depressions, 24 hurricanes formed from those 52 tropical storms, and a record 14 major hurricanes came from those 24 hurricanes.
2028
2028 was a slightly less active season with 49 depressions, 43 tropical storms, 17 hurricanes, and 9 major hurricanes.
2029
2029 was back to near normal as the El Niño weakened to the point where it dissipated in August and was replaced with neutral conditions. It featured, 17 depressions, 16 storms, 5 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes.
