The climate pattern is expected to continue and strengthen through the peak months of the hurricane season, August through October.
Strong El Niño conditions are generally associated with increased wind shear over the Atlantic, which can make it more difficult for tropical systems to develop and strengthen.
At the same time, some conditions remain favorable for hurricane development. Atlantic sea-surface temperatures are expected to remain slightly warmer than normal, while some other atmospheric conditions could support tropical activity, forecasters said.
Those competing factors are part of the reason NOAA continues to emphasize that the seasonal forecast cannot predict whether a particular location will be hit by a hurricane.
Peak of hurricane season approaches
The Atlantic hurricane season runs through Nov. 30, with most of the season’s activity typically occurring during August, September and October.