#15,378
In terms of storm intensity and damage, the Atlantic hurricane season has been fairly subdued, but in terms of the number of named storms by this third week of July, we are at a record setting 8 Tropical storms (and soon to be 9 if the wave coming off Africa can intensify).
The heart of the hurricane season doesn't usually begin until mid-August - and runs for about 60 days - so there is little comfort to be taken by the lack of stronger storms thus far.
Today the National Hurricane Center is following two tropical storms, Hanna in the Gulf of Mexico headed for Texas, and Gonzalo in the Atlantic east of the Lesser Antilles.
Closest to home, Hanna is expected to strengthen to a strong tropical storm before making landfall, but is not expected to reach hurricane strength. That said, residents should treat this storm with respect.
Meanwhile, Gonzalo may reach hurricane strength shortly before reaching the Lesser Antilles, but will likely struggle after it enters the Caribbean. Long term models are mixed on Gonzalo's future, but right now it doesn't appear to pose a threat to the United States.
And the eastern Pacific's first hurricane of the season - Douglas, currently a CAT 4 storm - is expected to weaken as it approaches the big Island of Hawaii in 2 to 3 days, but may manage to hold onto CAT 1 hurricane status, which would be a rarity for that state.
