MIAMI — Humberto strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane far out in the Atlantic early Wednesday, becoming the first hurricane of the Atlantic season.
Humberto’s maximum sustained winds were near 75 mph. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the hurricane could gain more strength before a weakening trend likely starts Thursday.
Humberto was centered about 310 miles west-northwest of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands and is moving north-northwest near 8 mph.
It is unusual for this much time to pass in the Atlantic season without a hurricane forming, though not unheard of. Hurricane Gustav was the first of the 2002 season when it formed on Sept. 11 of that year. The record for the latest first-of-the-season hurricane is Oct. 8, 1905, based on records dating to 1851.
