When Tropical Storm Gabrielle formed on Wednesday, it ended a nearly monthlong period of quiet in the Atlantic hurricane season during what is usually its most active time.

It was the second year in a row that what is known as peak hurricane season — when most hurricanes and the most destructive hurricanes typically form — began quietly, and like last year, some forecasters who had predicted this year would have an above-average number of named storms have been on edge.

Were their predictions wrong? Or would the Atlantic suddenly spin into action as it did last year, when Hurricane Helene and then Hurricane Milton, two of the most devastating storms in recent memory, formed within weeks of each other?

Here’s a look at what’s been keeping this year’s season quiet, and why that may be about to change.

Forecasters expected more storms than usual.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, and there have been seven named storms this year. Only one storm, Erin, reached the threshold to become a hurricane, but its center remained far offshore.

Meteorologists have a name for hurricanes that stay away from land: fish storms, because they do nothing except disrupt the fish. Still, as with Erin, a distant hurricane can bring damaging rip currents and surf to the East Coast, so forecasters, state officials and residents need to track them closely.

In late May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in its annual prediction that its experts expected an above-average hurricane season, with between 13 and 19 named storms. An average Atlantic hurricane season has 14 named storms, including seven hurricanes.