ATLANTIC OCEAN — The depression was moving toward the north-northeast at 4 knots (5 mph). The National Hurricane Center forecasts Tropical Depression Six to become a tropical storm on September 20, 2026. The next name on the Atlantic tropical cyclone list is Fay.

The National Hurricane Center is a division of the United States' National Weather Service. As of the formation of Tropical Depression Six, the Atlantic had produced five named storms: Tropical Storms Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, and Edouard. An average Atlantic hurricane year sees 14 named storms and seven hurricanes, with three of those growing to Category 3 strength or higher.

Timeline

On September 19, 2026, a view of the Atlantic GOES satellite image taken at 1:40 p.m. EDT showed Tropical Depression Six near the Azores, with the rest of the Atlantic Basin still cyclone-free. Also on September 19, 2026, the National Hurricane Center designated the system formerly known as Invest 99L as Tropical Depression Six.

At 0300 UTC on September 20, 2026, the center of Tropical Depression Six was located near latitude 33.3 North and longitude 33.2 West. On that same date and time, the National Hurricane Center forecast Tropical Depression Six to become a tropical storm. Also at 0300 UTC on September 20, 2026, Tropical Depression Six had maximum sustained winds of 30 knots (35 mph) with gusts to 40 knots, was moving toward the north-northeast at 4 knots (5 mph), and had an estimated minimum central pressure of 1007 millibars. The system is forecast to become a post-tropical remnant low within 72 hours of the September 20, 2026 advisory.

What's New

It is also reported that El Niño conditions have suppressed storm development in the Atlantic basin during the 2026 hurricane season. Further details show that Tropical Depression Six is forecast to become a post-tropical remnant low within 72 hours of the September 20, 2026 advisory.

The system is forecast to move northeast through September 20, 2026, before turning southwest. No coastal watches or warnings were in effect for Tropical Depression Six as of September 20, 2026.

The absence of an Atlantic hurricane by September 20, 2026, sets a record for the latest first hurricane of the season in the satellite era. Tropical Depression Six is forecast to dissipate within 120 hours of the September 20, 2026 advisory.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on the context of Atlantic hurricane activity. National Hurricane Center tropical cyclone statistics state that the Atlantic hurricane season has recorded five named storms as of September 20, 2026.

Why It Matters

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had adjusted its expectations accordingly, updating its seasonal forecast to expect between seven and 13 named storms, with two to six becoming hurricanes. The agency also predicted that there might not be any major hurricanes in the 2026 season, or at most two. With only five named storms produced so far, including Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, and Edouard, the season remains well below the average of 14 named storms and seven hurricanes.