Wednesday, Sept. 10, marks the climatological apex of the Atlantic hurricane season, but you wouldn’t know it based on how eerily quiet it is. No tropical storms. No signals of onset. Its stillness is unusual at this time of year.

Mid-September is traditionally the statistical high point of the Atlantic hurricane season, but right now the tropics are uncharacteristically quiet. There are no active storms, and overall energy levels (ACE) sit at just 67% of normal. Most of that came from the one hurricane this year, Erin.

It’s a veritable meteorological ghost town thanks to atmospheric stability and strong upper-level winds that have halted development.

What’s surprising is that this and last year’s pause coincide with very warm water temperatures in the Atlantic.

Just a year ago, Florid

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