How El Niño Fueled a Historic Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season
The Eastern Pacific has already set several hurricane records this season on the back of an exceptionally powerful El Niño phase. With just over one month to go in the official season, now is a good time to look back at what this part of the world's oceans has produced this year.
Record-Breaking Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season Marches On
The Eastern Pacific is on a roll over the last few months. While the hurricane season does not formally come to an end until November 30, this basin has already generated 22 named storms. Of that number, 12 have gone on to become hurricanes.
In addition to the sheer volume of the named storms, the basin is also producing exceptionally strong tropical weather events. According to data from Colorado State University, the Eastern Pacific has had the most Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) of any season dating back to 1950.
The ACE measurement looks at the maximum sustained wind of each tropical event throughout its lifespan, spitting out a seasonal metric that takes into consideration both the volume of storms and their overall strength. This year's ACE measurement sits at 342.7 as of October 20. For context, the previous record from the 2018 hurricane season came in at 318.1.
The action has been nearly nonstop in the Eastern Pacific. The basin has seen over 75 days with hurricanes. The previous record was 68.25 days, also from the busy 2018 season.
Mexico has borne the brunt of the landfalls this season. However, parts of the U.S. have also been impacted by the train of storms. Lala, Lowell, and Nolo have all impacted Hawaii as they skirted by the island chain, unleashing high winds and torrential rainfall.
The southwestern corner of the U.S. has felt the effects of Polo, Rachel, and Simon. It is also looking likely that some of the leftover moisture from Vance will make it into the southern Plains by next week.
Looking at specific storms, Hurricane Polo broke the most records this season, including becoming the second-strongest storm to ever roam this basin. Polo was also the fastest feature to go from a tropical depression to a Category 5 hurricane.
Although a strengthening El Niño is still to blame for the active Eastern Pacific season, the climate phase is having the opposite effect in the Atlantic. This basin has only produced one hurricane thus far. Isais came ashore in the Florida Panhandle on October 9, setting a new record for the latest first hurricane of the Atlantic season.
What is Next for the Basin?
Hurricane experts are forecasting that more records will fall in the weeks ahead. In addition to breaking the record for days with a hurricane, the basin is also likely to eclipse the record for the number of days with a named storm. That could happen this week if Vance hangs on for a few more days. The current record is 1992's 153.75 days.
The record for the number of days with a major hurricane, defined as Category 3 or higher, is also likely to fall soon. This distinction also belongs to the 2018 season with 34.75 days. That record could fall with Vance this week.
The Eastern Pacific still needs four more storms to break the all-time record of 26 total storms. This feat dates all the way back to 1992. There are still four names left to use in the list for 2026: Winnie, Xavier, Yolanda, and Zeke. You have to go back to the 1992 season to find the last time that all of the names were used in this basin.
With about five weeks still to go, it is becoming increasingly likely that 2026 will go down as the most historic season on record.
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