Earliest Major Hurricane on Record

July 3rd, 2024. Hurricane Beryl became the earliest category 5 system on record in the Atlantic, and only the second to occur in July, after Emily in 2005. It was also the earliest hurricane development so far east, at 49.3 degrees west, and is in the top 6 considering intensification time with 42 hours from tropical storm to maximum strength. It is the only 1 of those 6 to occur outside the month of September.