Tropical Storm Debby is one for the record books, and could be an early sign of a busy hurricane season yet to come.
Debby formed Friday, June 22, making it the earliest fourth named Atlantic storm on record.
Before Debby, the earliest a fourth storm ever formed was Dennis, which was named on July 5, 2005.
That same year went on to be the busiest Atlantic hurricane season on record, with 28 named storms, including the notorious hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.
The average date a fourth Atlantic storm usually forms is August 23.
Debby is also the earliest named storm ever to strike the Florida Panhandle at the start of hurricane season.
A sign of things to come?
| 2012 Storm | First Advisory | Days ahead of 2004 (Charley, Frances, Jeanne) |
Days ahead of 2005 (Busiest Atlantic season) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberto | May 19 | 73 | 20 |
| Beryl | May 26 | 69 | 33 |
| Chris | June 19 | 51 | 14 |
| Debby | June 22 | 51 | 11 |
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