The 2026 Pacific hurricane season is tied for most Category 5 storms
In short: A powerful El Niño event has transformed the 2026 Pacific hurricane season into a powerhouse. With three Category 5 hurricanes already recorded, this season matches the extreme intensity seen in 1994, 2002, and 2018, marking a significant departure from the historical averages seen in recent decades.
An incredibly busy beginning marked the 2026 season; by early June, three named storms had emerged, marking the basin's most active start since 1985. This early surge was driven by a strong El Niño event, which NOAA forecasted would lead to an above-normal season with up to 22 named storms and 9 major hurricanes.
The intensity of this season is underscored by the occurrence of three Category 5 hurricanes: Genevieve, Lowell, and Polo. After Hurricane Genevieve emerged as the season's initial major hurricane, Hurricane Lowell matched Hurricane Ioke (2006) by attaining Category 5 status twice. Hurricane Polo tied the record for the season's third Category 5 storm and became the second-most-intense Pacific hurricane on record by central pressure.
Beyond the intensity of the storms, the season has already caused significant impact. Marking Hawaii's third-wettest tropical cyclone, Hurricane Lala was the first to strike the Big Island directly since 1871. In the Eastern Pacific, Tropical Storm Boris caused damage in southern Mexico, while Tropical Storm Cristina brought torrential rains and flooding across Central America, resulting in multiple deaths in Guatemala and Honduras.
As of October 3, the season's accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index was calculated at approximately 285.6 units. This is significantly higher than the historical median ACE index of 75.38–110.55 units recorded between 1991 and 2020, reflecting the heightened power and duration of the season's tropical cyclones.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2026 Pacific hurricane season
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