September ends hurricane-free in the Atlantic for first time in 32 years amid strengthening El Niño

September has come to a close without a hurricane forming in the Atlantic for just the second time in the satellite era (1996), despite being the climatological peak of the season as El Niño-driven winds have suppressed activity this year. Tropical Storm Hanna is on its last legs in the open waters of the Central Subtropical Atlantic after forming Monday morning, becoming just the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.