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.