While we are making the top 5 list of the longest dry stretch (today will be the 36th consecutive day---tied for #3), that Atlantic hurricane season is nearing its latest first date to have a named hurricane. The average first hurricane occurs on August 10th. The latest hurricane on record to form in the Atlantic Basin was "Hurricane Gustav", which was named a hurricane on September 11th, 2002.
There are currently two named storms spinning about; Tropical Storm Gabrielle near Bermuda & Tropical Storm Humberto near the Cape Verde islands. Neither have a threat to make landfall in the United States. However, Humberto has a good chance of becoming a hurricane later today (courtesy of the
National Hurricane Center).
If Humberto does NOT strengthen into a hurricane today, then there is a possibility to tie the latest first date if the storm strengthens tomorrow.
Being that today is the "peak" of the season, there is still plenty of time left for tropical systems to develop in the Atlantic. Hurricane season runs through November 30th.
The last hurricane to make landfall in the United States was Hurricane Wilma on October 24th, 2005 in Cape Romano, FL; at one point, the strongest hurricane every in the Atlantic Basin with a central barometric pressure at 882milibars and winds of 185mph!
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