The more powerful the El Nino, the fewer the number of hurricanes.
Pretty simple really.
Not so within the Eastern Pacific, Central Pacific, Western Pacific, but that is true within the Atlantic.
Nina years within the postive AMO avg between 13-15 named storms per year
1995-19, 3rd most active
1996-13, Fran last cat3 landfall on US north of 35...
1998-Later parts, Mitch, Georges, ect
1999-Floyd, Gert, Cindy, Bret,
2000-Keith into Belize
2001-Michelle strongest cyclone to hit since Fox
2003-Isabel, Juan
2004-Charley, Ivan, Jeanne, Frances
2005 kind of neutral. Most active season in history.
2007 2 cat5's!
2008 Ike, Gustav, Omar, Paloma
2010 later parts
Where nino years
1997 8 named storms
2002 12 named storms
2006 10 named storms
2009 9 named storms only about 51 ace
This is caused by a increase in westerly shear within the MDR/Or area from 45-65 west south of 25 north...While La nina's normally have more favorable mdr's and lower shear...But strong la nina's can also have stronger azore highs that keep the itcz to the south. So a weak to moderate la nina like 2005 is normally the best for a good Atlantic season.
While nino years can have monster season's within the
eastern Pacific with 17-21 named storms occuring in years like 1992, 1997...Also the central and western Pacific gets into the game. The western Pacific is having one very quit one this year!
This Atlantic season has over 135 ace points and has 16 named storms now. 2008 had 16 named storms and 145 ace points, but had solid ridging to steer the cyclones west into the US. Ike 3rd costiest storm in US history, Gustav into LA to name a few...This year we have had Alex and Karl as the monsters, but into Mexico.