11 September, 2017
Hurricane Irma has already caused major damage in the Caribbean and is expected to hit southern Florida, while Hurricane Katia is menacing eastern Mexico, and Hurricane Jose could hit Antigua and Barbuda, which suffered major damage just days ago under Irma.
Tropical storm Katia strengthened into a hurricane off the Mexican coast on Wednesday - marking the first time since 2010 there has been a trio of hurricanes around the Atlantic region at the same time.
The storm, packing peak winds of 80 miles per hour, is forecast to track westward toward Mexico and make landfall as a hurricane Friday night in the state of Veracruz. Before that happens though, Jose could become the third major hurricane this season.
Jose is not expected to travel in the same direction as Hurricane Irma.
"Little overall motion is anticipated through late Thursday, but then the hurricane is forecast to turn south-westward and be approaching the coast within the watch area late Friday or early Saturday".
Tropical storm Jose strengthened into a hurricane late on Wednesday afternoon.
Jose could hit some of the same small islands in the northern Lesser Antilles decimated by Irma.
"It's not official, but today will be the highest daily ACE that the Atlantic has recorded", said Phil Klotzbach, an atmospheric scientist at Colorado State University.
On its current path, the storm appears to steer north and avoid making landfall. "Pretty much everyone at this point is very done with hurricane season". While forecasting errors increase as they go forward in time, everyone up the Atlantic coastline should monitor Irma and its path.
Texas and Louisiana are still reeling from the flooding and destruction left by Hurricane Harvey at the end of August.
Category 1 is the NHC's weakest hurricane designation.
Large storms with powerful wind speeds tend to lead to the more destructive, higher storm surges.
