Satellite image showing Karl, Igor and Julia on 16 Sept 2010. The first time in 12 years that three hurricanes have existed simultaneously in the Atlantic

Tropical cyclone activity is reaching a peak across the globe with the potential for a triple landfall of storms in the Atlantic and Pacific this Saturday and Sunday.

The 2010 Atlantic hurricane season remains very active with Hurricane Julia joining Karl and Igor. This is the first time in 12 years that three hurricanes have existed simultaneously in the Atlantic, and Julia was the strongest hurricane to have formed so far east since credible records began in the 1970s.

Earlier this week both Julia and Igor were simultaneously classified as Category 4 hurricanes — the first such occurrence in the Atlantic since 1926.

Tropical cyclone activity is reaching a peak across the globe with the potential for a triple landfall of storms in the Atlantic and Pacific over this weekend.

Karl made landfall on the south-west Gulf coast of Mexico, weakening as it made landfall and is now classified as a tropical storm. Heavy rain over the mountainous areas is expected to lead to floods, as well as extreme winds.

To the east Hurricane Igor has weakened slightly but remains a major storm. Igor, with sustained speeds of 105mph, is threatening to pass directly over Bermuda today, the US-based National Hurricane Center has warned.

Hurricane Julia, currently over the centre of the North Atlantic Ocean, has weakened also, with sustained winds of 75mph.

Meanwhile, Tyhoon Fanapi in the western Pacific is approaching Taiwan and is expected to make landfall Sunday. Although only equivalent to a Category 1 or 2 hurricane, winds are still gusting to around 115 mph. The biggest threat will be heavy rains and subsequent disruption in remote mountainous areas.

Met Office forecasters are continuing to work with the National Hurricane Center in the USA and provide predictions of the storms to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.