TS Karl strikes Yucatan; Igor, Julia at Cat. 4

Karl was expected to move inland and weaken, with 3 to 5 inches of rain forecast for the region. The storm is predicted to re-strengthen after moving off the peninsula into the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, reaching hurricane strength before making a second landfall on the Mexican Gulf Coast.

Karl does not pose a threat to the U.S. mainland. Here is the latest advisory. Here is the forecast storm track. And here is the view from orbit.

Rising surf and rip currents are forecast for the U.S. Atlantic Coast this weekend.

Bermuda (top, middle of Igor's track) is following Igor closely, although any Hurricane Watches aren't likely until Thursday. At least one cruise ship has elected to bypass the island because of the threat. Two other ships have tweaked their port calls in the Northern Leewards because of sea conditions.

Here is the latest advisory on Igor. Here is the forecast storm track. And here is the view from space.

Farther east, Hurricane Julia (storm track on the right on map) reached Cat. 4 strength overnight, with top winds at 135 mph. It remains a threat only to shipping and fish.

Does this seem like a busy, intense season yet? Consider these stats, from Jeff Masters' blog on Weather Underground:

1. Julia is the strongest hurricane to form so far east in the Atlantic.

2. Earl was the fourth-strongest to venture so far north.

3. This season marks only the second time two Cat. 4 hurricanes have spun in the Atlantic simultaneously. The first time was in September 1926.

4. Julia is the fourth Cat. 4 storm this season. Only two seasons have had five Cat. 4s: 2005 and 1999.