Irene just formed, the 9th tropical storm of the season for the Atlantic, Carribean, and Gulf of Mexico. What is odd is that either none of these have become hurricanes, or maybe one or 2 of the early ones may have briefly been hurricanes. Most (or all?) have not affected the US mainland (Puerto Rico has had at least rain..).

Irene is forecast to become just barely a hurricane before getting mixed up with Hispaniola and/or Cuba.

Chris