They predict a total of 9 named storms forming in the Atlantic Basin with 4 becoming hurricanes, and 1 of those systems reaching at least Category 3. The expectation is that the much ballyhooed, but very real and strong, El Niño will dominate the circulation over the tropical Atlantic. The El Niño is already having a significant effect on the upper-level winds over the Caribbean and into the main tropical-development zone. And as the El Niño strengthens over the next few months, that effect will just increase. Watching out for HawaiiThe El Niño is just part of the extreme marine heat wave in the Eastern and Central Pacific.