The 2026 cyclonic season has shown a dramatic difference between the Eastern Pacific and the Atlantic, with the Pacific experiencing a high level of cyclonic activity while the Atlantic remains unusually calm. As of September 28, the Eastern Pacific had recorded 20 named storms and 9 hurricanes, far above the average of 13.5 and 7.4, respectively, for the same time period between 1991 and 2020. The accumulated cyclonic energy, or ACE, which measures the power of tropical storms and hurricanes, in the northeast Pacific was more than twice the normal level. Among the notable systems are Polo, a category 5 hurricane that formed at the end of September, Rachel, a category 3 hurricane off the coast of Mexico, and Nolo, a tropical storm near Hawaii. Meanwhile, the Atlantic has been unusually quiet, with no hurricanes forming as of early October. This is noteworthy because the statistical peak of the Atlantic cyclonic season usually occurs earlier in the year. The contrast between the two regions is not uncommon during El Niño events, a climate phenomenon characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific. El Niño is currently well established and is expected to grow stronger in the coming months. El Niño contributes to increased cyclonic activity in the Eastern Pacific by warming ocean waters and reducing vertical wind shear, which allows cyclones to form and intensify more easily. In the Atlantic, however, El Niño tends to increase wind shear, which disrupts the formation and development of tropical storms. While El Niño does not directly cause every cyclone, it is a major factor this year in explaining the striking contrast between a highly active Pacific and a notably calm Atlantic. Meteorologists continue to monitor both basins closely, as the conditions set by El Niño could influence weather patterns across the globe. The unusual activity in the Pacific and the relative calm in the Atlantic provide valuable data for understanding how large-scale climate phenomena affect regional weather systems.