COLUMBIA, S.C. — As the Atlantic hurricane season reaches its climatological peak on September 10, the tropics are unusually calm. According to the latest outlook from the National Hurricane Center, no tropical cyclone development is expected over the next week , a striking contrast to what is typically the most active stretch of the season.

Several factors are working together to keep storm activity suppressed. One of the most influential is Saharan dust, which has been sweeping westward across the Atlantic in thick plumes.

This dust brings dry, stable air that disrupts thunderstorm growth, while also creating a warm layer higher in the atmosphere that blocks the upward motion of moist air, both of which make it much harder for tropical systems to form.

Another hurdle is strong wind

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