JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – The Atlantic hurricane season is expected to peak right between August and September. This is usually the time when there are a lot of storms. Experts who study hurricanes still expect this season to be very active, perhaps one of the most active ever.

But how many storms have we had so far and how does this compare to a typical year?

By August 16, there were already five tropical systems: two tropical storms and three hurricanes, all ahead of schedule for a season that had not yet reached its peak. The peak season begins around September 10, when conditions become even more favorable for hurricane development.

So far, hurricanes Beryl and Debby have hit the United States, while a third hurricane could hit Bermuda.

In total, the five named storms, which lasted 21 storm days, have produced a combined cyclone energy of 46.7 and rising. That is three times the usual activity to date.

Major hurricane storms typically last until late August, as historically 95% of all Category 3 or higher hurricanes occurred after that time.

For now, at least, the tropics will take a breather after Hurricane Ernesto. Over the next 10 days or so, tropical activity over the Atlantic will be muted as another load of dry Saharan dust moves in from Africa, which could delay tropical wave development until September.