Global warming effect or coincidence? There were three Category 4 hurricans swirling in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii on Sunday, August 30, 2015, according to the National Hurricane Center: Kilo, Ignacio and Jimenez.

The unprecedented storm activity comes as weather scientists

Day for the record books- trio of Category 4 hurricanes near #Hawaii- unparalleled in any basin! HT @philklotzbach pic.twitter.com/cGq5tQ5Brb

-- Eric Blake (@EricBlake12) August 30, 2015

The unprecedented storm activity in the Pacific comes during a record tropical stom season for the Northern Hemisphere. There have been 15 Category 4 and 5 storms through August 31, which shatters the old record of nine set in 2001, according to Colorado State University meteorologist Philip Klotzbach.

Even if no Cat. 4+ form in the N Hem in Sep., '15 will have more Cat. 4+ than any other year thru Sept. @EricBlake12 pic.twitter.com/eDzD1Il7v7

-- Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) August 31, 2015

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