Tropical Depression Thirteen-E formed over the eastern Pacific Ocean in late November 2011. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Kenneth on November 20, and further strengthened into a hurricane the following day, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). On November 21, the NHC reported that Kenneth was located about 685 miles (1,105 kilometers) south of Baja California, and packed winds of 85 miles (140 kilometers) per hour.

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this natural-color image on November 21, 2011. Kenneth bears the spiral shape characteristic of strong storms. As Kenneth was forecast to travel westward away from land, however, no coastal watches or warnings were in effect, the NHC reported.

Katia initially formed as Tropical Depression Twelve south of Cape Verde on August 29, 2011. By September 2, 2011, the storm had crossed the Atlantic Ocean and strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane. At 11:00 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time (AST) on September 2, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Katia had winds of 75 miles (120 kilometers) per hour with higher gusts.

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured this natural-color image at 12:25 p.m. AST on September 2. Katia swirls over the water east of the Leeward Islands. Although the hurricane lacks a distinct eye, it sports the spiral shape characteristic of strong storms.

Five-day projections released by the NHC on September 2 showed Katia traveling in the general direction of the U.S. East Coast, which was still recovering from Hurricane Irene.