Hurricane Jose has strengthened into a Category 3 storm, meaning that there are now two major hurricanes crossing the Atlantic for the first time since 2010.
This unusual occasion marks the first time in seven years that the Atlantic Ocean has hosted two major hurricanes and smaller hurricane at the same time, according to Colorado State University meteorologist Phil Klotzbach.
#Jose is now a major hurricane – the 3rd of Atlantic hurricane season to date. The first time we’ve had 3 major hurricanes by 9/7 since 2008 pic.twitter.com/vN56R4wqEY
— Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) September 7, 2017
Other three years w/ 3 hurricanes & 2 major hurricanes in Atlantic were 1893, 1961 and 2010.
— Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) September 7, 2017
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that Jose is packing maximum sustained winds around 120 mph, and forecasters say the storm may strengthen even more over the next day or two.
A hurricane watch is effective in Antigua and Barbuda, both of which are still recovering from Hurricane Irma hitting Wednesday. Irma made landfall as a Category 5 storm on Barbuda, reducing nearly all of the island’s building to rubble.
Jose could bring up to 10 inches of rain to the islands and “cause additional life-threatening flooding,” the NHC warned Thursday. Jose is expected to reach the Leeward Islands by Saturday.
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