By Sept. 21, no Atlantic hurricane had formed in 2026—the first time since 1914, according to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center. Six named storms had formed by Sept. 22, but none had reached hurricane strength; the season runs through Nov. 30.
The six storms were Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard and Fay. Fay formed Sept. 19 and peaked at 60 knots (about 69 mph), just below the 64-knot (74-mph) threshold for hurricane status. NOAA’s accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) measure was 6.3, 92% below the 1991–2020 normal for this point in the season.
Past Septembers have also brought destructive hurricanes. Hugo made landfall near Charleston on Sept. 22, 1989, as a Category 4, causing 26 deaths and about $7 billion in damage. Ivan made landfall near Gulf Shores on Sept. 16, 2004, and caused more than $27 billion in U.S. damage.