Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: Ironically , although a weak El Nino was emerging during the summer , the season was well above average in activity , with fifteen named storms and one of the highest Accumulated Cyclone Energy totals ever observed .
Simplified: The season was above average in activity . It had fifteen named storms and one of the highest Accumulated Cyclone Energy totals ever recorded .