A low-pressure system in the western Gulf of Mexico is poised to become a tropical storm, with a chance to develop into a hurricane. While early October hurricanes are not unheard of, this year's potential hurricane would be historic—marking the first time in modern records that an Atlantic hurricane season has gone without one.

Historically, the absence of a hurricane this late in the season is rare. Only 1907 and 1914 saw no recorded hurricanes, but with the lack of pre-aircraft data, the absence of hurricanes in those years is not definitively confirmed. The current season's quietude is partly due to a strengthening El Niño, known for heightening wind shear over the Atlantic, which disrupts tropical system formation.

This year, the Atlantic has been unusually quiet, with the majority of hurricanes forming between mid-August and mid-October. The window for a late-season hurricane is closing, making this developing storm a significant event. However, the absence of a hurricane this late in the season has not been witnessed since the early 20th century, making any development a notable milestone in meteorological history.