Fast factsWhere is it? North Atlantic Ocean.What’s within the picture? Hurricanes Katia, Irma and Jose in a near-perfect line.Which satellite tv for pc took the picture? Suomi Nationwide Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP).When was it taken? September 8, 2017.On this 2017 satellite tv for pc picture, a trio of hurricanes — together with some of the highly effective tropical storms of the final decade — shaped a near-perfect line as they marched by “hurricane alley.” A few of the swirling storms, which initially look like within the mistaken order, later made landfall within the U.S. and Mexico.The three hurricanes — Katia (left), Irma (heart) and Jose (proper) — have been noticed by the Suomi NPP climate satellite tv for pc, which is co-run by NASA and the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Whereas they look like following each other, the storms are every touring in a distinct path: Katia made landfall in Mexico on Sept. 9; Irma struck Florida on Sept. 10; and Jose finally dissipated off the New England coast on Sept. 22.     Most Atlantic hurricanes kind in the identical expanse of water between Northwest Africa and the Gulf of Mexico, dubbed hurricane alley. Nevertheless, it is uncommon to see so a lot of them so shut collectively — and forming such a regimented line, in response to NASA’s Earth Observatory.  Main Atlantic storms are named alphabetically primarily based on the order they seem in annually’s hurricane season. So it may appear unusual that Katia is in entrance of each Irma and Jose within the queue to make landfall.Nevertheless, the storms didn’t kind within the order they seem within the picture. Irma shaped first, on Aug. 30 close to Africa’s Cape Verde islands. Jose appeared subsequent on Sept. 5 within the mid-Atlantic, not removed from the place it’s within the picture. Katia additionally shaped on Sept. 5, barely after Jose, however was birthed in Mexico’s Bay of Campeche, which is why it’s closest to land within the picture.Associated: 12 superb pictures of Earth from spaceHurricane Irma triggered greater than $320 million value of harm when it made landfall in Florida, in response to the Nationwide Climate Heart. (Picture credit score: Warren Faidley through Getty Photos)Hurricane Irma was essentially the most damaging of the three storms. This highly effective Class 5 storm triggered storm surges as much as 8 toes (2.5 meters) excessive, unleashing as a lot as 20 inches (50 centimeters) of rain in sure areas and spawning not less than 5 separate tornadoes, in response to the Nationwide Climate Heart. One particular person was killed straight by its winds, which reached a most pace of 130 mph (210 km/h), whereas as much as 33 folks have been killed not directly by the storm.Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.On the time, it was reported that Hurricane Irma had the best amassed cyclone power (ACE) — the full quantity of wind power generated all through the lifetime of a tropical cyclone  — of any tropical storm on international report, in response to NASA’s Earth Observatory. Nevertheless, calculations later downgraded its energy. The all-time ACE report was not too long ago damaged in 2023 by Cyclone Freddy, which appeared within the Indian Ocean and made landfall three separate occasions, decimating elements of Madagascar and Mozambique. Analysis has proven that rising ocean temperatures triggered by human-caused local weather change have doubtless made hurricanes extra highly effective on common. Some consultants imagine we might should create a brand new sixth hurricane class to maintain observe of future storms.The upcoming 2024 season is predicted to be significantly energetic, with as much as 25 named storms predicted, on account of record-breaking floor temperatures brought on by the latest El Niño occasion. This yr’s season has already began with a bang because of Hurricane Beryl, which shaped earlier within the yr than some other Class 5 hurricane on report.