Tropics Abuzz: Two Hurricanes, One Storm

Two hurricanes and a tropical storm formed in the Atlantic in 12 hours Wednesday, making 1995 one of the most active hurricane seasons on record.

Tropical systems were lined up like ducks from the mid-Atlantic to the Florida peninsula.

The number of named storms this season climbed to 10, with the most active part of the June-through-November period just beginning.

Never before have there been so many storms this early in the season; the old record was nine storms by Aug. 22 in 1936. The highest number of storms in an entire season is 21, a record set in 1933.

Humberto became a hurricane Wednesday morning when it reached the threshold of 75 mph winds less than halfway across the Atlantic between Africa and the Caribbean.

At 8 a.m. PDT, tropical storm Iris formed 920 miles to the west, several days away from any land. By 2 p.m., it had become a hurricane with 80 mph winds.

Tropical storm Jerry emerged off the east coast of Florida by 11 a.m. and moved over land, bringing heavy rain, surf and 40 mph winds to the Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area. Up to 8 inches of rain were forecast.