EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN — Tropical Storm Amanda formed early Wednesday hundreds of miles from land in the middle of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. It is the first named storm of the 2026 hurricane season in either the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific basin.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Tropical Storm Amanda has sustained winds of 40 mph and is moving north-northwest at 8 mph. The storm developed from Tropical Depression One-E, which was designated Tuesday.
The center of Tropical Storm Amanda was at sea and posed no immediate threat to land. Forecasters expect the system to remain well out to sea and dissipate by next week as it moves west into an environment of hostile winds.
A tropical storm is defined as a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds between 39 and 73 mph. Amanda’s current intensity places it at the lower end of that range.
Sea surface temperatures near Mexico and farther west into the open Pacific are currently running about 2 to 3 degrees above average. These elevated temperatures create favorable conditions for tropical cyclone formation. The warmth is consistent with a developing super El Niño climate pattern that is expected to play a dominant role this hurricane season.
The emerging super El Niño is likely increasing tropical activity in the Eastern Pacific while simultaneously suppressing tropical development in the Atlantic. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season began May 15 and typically produces around 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes each year. Amanda’s formation aligns with the climatological norm for early-season activity in this basin during El Niño years.