The first hurricane of the 2013 Atlantic Season has officially arrived. Humberto strengthened from a tropical storm into a category-1 hurricane early this morning off the coast of Africa.
According to the NWS, this year’s first hurricane is unusually late. The Atlantic usually sees a hurricane develop before August 10th. More than a month behind schedule, Humberto just missed tying the record for the latest first hurricane by only three hours. That record remains with Hurricane Gustav, which formed a little after 8 A.M. on this date back in 2002.
Forecasters do not expect Humberto to impact the U.S. However, it is important to remember that the Atlantic Hurricane Season runs through November 30th and the latter part of the season is usually its most active.
Hurricane Humberto forms off the coast of Africa.
Image Credit: Meteosat/EUMETSAT